Useful contacts
You will not need to pay for the costs of telephone calls which begin with 0800 or 0808. You will pay local rates for numbers which begin with 0845. If you phone from a mobile phone, charges may vary depending on your network provider. You may have to pay national call rates for other numbers depending on where you live.
NHS Direct
Phone 0845 46 47
For health advice and information, visit the NHS Direct website
Department of Health Publications Orderline
Phone 0870 1555 455
For literature produced by the Department of Health.
Find more information about health services
on the Department of Health website
NHS-funded nursing care in care homes
Phone 0870 1555 455 (England)
or 029 2082 5295 (Wales)
For a free copy of the leaflet, NHS Funding Care in Nursing Homes - what it means for you.
Health costs advice line
Phone 0845 850 1166
For advice on who is eligible for help with all health costs.
Find
out more about NHS charges on the Department of Health website
Office of the Public Guardian
Phone 0845 330 2900
(Textphone 020 7664 7755)
The Office of the Public Guardian provides financial protection services for clients who are mentally unable to manage their financial affairs.
Winter Warmth Advice Line
Phone 0800 085 7000
(Textphone 0800 085 7857)
Advice and information for older and vulnerable people on keeping warm and well during winter. Information on benefits and grants for energy-efficiency improvements to the home. Call for a free copy of the Department of Health's winter guide Keep Warm, Keep Well. (There is an interpreter to provide advice in your own language if you need this.)
Find out more about Winter Fuel Payments
Carers UK
Carers Line
Phone 0808 808 7777
The association provides information on benefits and how to access support
services within your area.
Find more information on help
for carers on the Carers UK website
Carers (Wales)
Phone 02920 811370
DIAL UK
Phone 01302 310123
Find advice and information on disability, visit the DIAL UK website
Disability Wales
Phone 02920 887325
Disabled Living Foundation
Phone 0870 603 9177
Anchor Trust
Phone 0845 775 8595
For advice and help for physically or mentally disabled older people, visit the Anchor Trust website
Deafblind UK
Phone 0800 132 320
For people who are deaf and blind.
For more information visit the
Deafblind UK website
RNID
Phone 0808 808 0123 (Textphone 0808 808 9000)
Find more information on the Royal National Institute of the Blind website
Royal National Institute of the Blind
Phone 0845 766 9999
Find more information on the Royal National Institute of the Blind website
Royal National Institute for Deaf People
Phone 0870 60 50 123 (Textphone 0870 603 3007)
Find more information on the Royal National Institute for Deaf People website
Mencap
Phone 020 7454 0454
Mencap supports people with learning disabilities, their families and
carers.
Find out more on the Mencap website
SANE
Saneline
Phone 0845 767 8000
For advice, support and information for people with mental illness and
their families, professionals and the general public.
Find more information on the SANE website
Nursing Home Fees Agency
(NHFA)
Phone 0800 99 88 33
Free advice and information on getting and paying for care.
Did you know...?
People over 75 can apply for a free TV licence?
See our Travel and leisure section for more information.