NHS Direct provides a confidential telephone service, 24 hours a day, to give advice and guidance on health issues.

Call: 0845 46 47

Website: http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/

NHS Direct can give advice and information on:

• stomach pains
• rashes
• medicines
• dental pain

The on- line symptom checker and self-help guides can give information on:

• colds and flu
• mental health advice
• male and female sexual health advice
• contraception advice and more.

There is even a TV channel called NHS Direct Interactive where you can get health information and advice.

NHS Direct Interactive is available on Sky Digital TV - press the “interactive” button and scroll down the menu to page 2. On Freeview, go to Channel 10

Please note: calls cost a maximum of 5p from a BT landline. Calls from mobiles and other networks may vary. An interpretation service is available in many languages.

  Click the link to view or download the NHS Direct - Aches & pains, shivers & fever, confused & unsure leaflet

  Helen Young, Chief Nurse at NHS Direct

 

“NHS Direct provides people in England with health information and advice 24 hours a day. Patients tell us that they really value the service, and that it is especially reassuring in the winter months when many people, such as the elderly and those with young children, may struggle to visit their GP or other health services if the weather is particularly bad.

 

“As well as assessing specific symptoms, our nurses and highly trained health advisors can provide health information on a whole range of subjects, such as advice on taking medication, or help finding out if a local walk-in clinic or pharmacist is open and which conditions can be treated there.

 

“We also play a key role in helping take pressure off those services in high demand, such as A&E departments and GP surgeries, by advising patients on how they can treat their symptoms at home without the need for onward referral. In 2009/10, 21,300 inappropriate A&E/999 referrals, and 25,000 GP consultations were avoided in Devon through patients’ use of NHS Direct’s services.”

NHS Choices is a dedicated website where you can find up-to-date and expert advice on a range of illnesses and complaints, as well as find your nearest NHS services, such as GPs, dentists, pharmacists, walk-in centres and so on.

Website: http://www.nhs.uk/

Click on the link below to view or download the Choose Well A3 leaflet:

   Choose Well A3 leaflet

Choose Well: web survey

We are keen to hear what you think about the Choose Well information provided on our website. This will help us to constantly improve what is available.

If you could give just 3 minutes of your time to complete our short web survey we would be most grateful, you can access it via the link below:

 http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Choosewell10

Thank you in advance for taking the time to do this.

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