Health Issues

Health Issues

NHS Direct - 0845 606 4647
A textphone service is also available for people who have difficulties with their hearing or speech on 0845 606 4647.

NHS Direct is for anyone needing health advice or information. When you phone NHS Direct, a nurse will give you confidential advice and information. You can also visit http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/ (external link) for health advice and information.  You can phone NHS Direct on 0845 606 4647. If English is not your first language, you can use a confidential translation service. Calls are charged at the local rate and, for patients' safety, all calls are recorded. (A textphone service is also available for people who have difficulties with their hearing or speech on 0845 606 4647.)

Alcohol Concern
Contact details for Alcohol Concern, an organisation which acts as an umbrella tackling alcohol-related harm and offering help to the families and friends of those with alcohol-related problems.    http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/ (external link)

Alcoholics Anonymous -  0845 769 7555
Contact details for Alcoholics Anonymous, an organisation of men and women who share their experience with each other hoping to solve their problems and help others to recover from alcoholism.  http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/  (external link)

Alzheimer's Society - 0845 300 0336
The helpline is open from 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday  http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/ (external link)

Eating Disorder Association -
Adult helpline (Over 18's) 0845 634 1414
Youth helpline (up to and inc 18 year olds) 0845 634 7650
The Eating Disorder Association, an organisation which helps with all aspects of eating disorders including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder etc. http://www.edauk.com/ (external link)

Samaritans - 0121 704 2255.
Contact details for the Samaritans, which is available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experienceing feelings of distress or despair.  http://www.samaritans.org.uk/ (external link)

Smoking - 0800 169 0 169
Giving up smoking isn't easy, but there's plenty of support available.   You can find your local NHS Stop Smoking Service by:Using the Giving Up Smoking search facility  (external link)  Calling 0800 169 0 169  Texting GIVE UP with your full postcode to 88088.

HIV/AIDS

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) -  020 781 0330
Contact details for the THT, the leading HIV and AIDS charity in the UK and the largest in Europe. http://www.tht.org.uk/  (external link)

Positively Women -  020 7713 0444
Contact details for Positively Women, the only national registered charity offering support for women living with HIV by women living with HIV - http://www.positivelywomen.org.uk/ (external link)

Dealing with Drugs

Families Anonymous -  0845 1200 660 
For relatives and friends concerned about the use of drugs or related behavioural problems. http://www.famanon.org.uk/ (external link)

Release -  0845 4500 215 

Provides advice to drug users, their families, friends, and statutory and voluntary agencies. The advice is free, professional, non-judgmental and confidential.  http://www.release.org.uk/  (external link)

FRANK 0800 77 66 00
For free confidential drugs information and advice 24 hours a day talk to FRANK. http://www.talktofrank.com/ (external link)

Sexual Health

Sexual Health Line - Freefone 0800 567 123 (calls may be charged if made from mobile phones) 7 days a week, 24 hours a day

A 24-hour, seven-days-a-week, free and confidential telephone service with advice about HIV, AIDS, sexual health, sexually transmitted infections, local services, clinics and support services.

Sexwise - Freephone 0800 28 29 30 (calls may be charged if made from mobile phones) 7 days a week, from 7am -12 midnight

Free and confidential advice line for young people under 18, on anything to do with sex, relationships and contraception. All calls are free.

Contraceptive Education Service provided by fpa 0845 310 1334 (England) Mondays to Fridays 9am-7pm

The Contraceptive Education Service provides a nationwide information service for men and women. Trained staff can answer your questions on contraception, family planning, sexual health, sexual health (GUM) clinics, as well as on other organisations that can help you.

 

These are only a small selection of the helplines available.  If you know of a helpline you would like to see promoted on these pages, please email us at webmaster@chester.gov.uk.