Get advice about health costs and services
This advice applies to England. See advice for See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Scotland, See advice for Wales
You might have to pay for some NHS services - others are free of charge.
If you need help with health costs
If you're on a low income you might be able to get help paying for NHS charges including:
prescriptions
dental treatment
sight tests, glasses and contact lenses
travel to NHS treatment
wigs and fabric supports
Check if you can get help with health costs on the NHS website.
If you need advice about health services
You can get advice about health conditions and treatments on the NHS website.
There are independent organisations that can help you:
get advice about health and social care services
make a complaint about a health or social care service
Getting advice about mental health
Mind (National Association for Mental Health)
2 Redman Place
London
E20 1JQ
Helpline: 0300 123 3393,
Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
Legal Advice Service: 0300 466 6463
Telephone (general enquiries): 020 8519 2122
Email (helpline): info@mind.org.uk
Email (legal advice service): legal@mind.org.uk
Email (general enquiries): contact@mind.org.uk
Website: www.mind.org.uk
Your call is likely to be free of charge if you have a phone deal that includes free calls to landlines - find out more about calling 030 numbers.
Mind is a mental health charity that provides advice on:
managing your mental health
where to get help
medication
the law about mental health
YoungMinds
Suite 11
Baden Place
Crosby Row
London
SE1 1YW
Free text line for young people: Text ‘YM’ to 85258
Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544, 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday
Tel: 020 7089 5050
Fax: 020 7407 8887
Email (Parents Helpline): parents@youngminds.org.uk
Email (general enquiries): ymenquiries@youngminds.org.uk
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
Calls are free from mobiles and landlines.
YoungMinds is a mental health charity that helps children, young people and their parents.
Complaining about a health service
If you have a problem with an NHS service you should complain directly to them. You can find out how to make a complaint or give feedback on the NHS website.
If you need help making a complaint about the NHS, you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). Find your nearest PALS service on the NHS website.
You can also get help making your complaint about an NHS service from Healthwatch - they’re an independent organisation not run by the NHS. You can find your local Healthwatch team on the Healthwatch website.
You can tell the Care Quality Commission (CQC) about your concern with any care or health service. The CQC can inspect health services and make them improve. They can’t help you directly with your problem - for example, they can’t help you get compensation. The CQC is an independent organisation not run by the NHS.
Care Quality Commission (England)
Citygate
Gallowgate
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4PA
Telephone: 0300 061 6161
Textphone Relay UK: 18001 03000 616161
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm
Excluding bank holidays
E-mail: enquiries@cqc.org.uk
Website: www.cqc.org.uk
Your call is likely to be free of charge if you have a phone deal that includes free calls to landlines - find out more about calling 030 numbers.
Raising a concern about your employer
If you’re a member of staff at a care service you can report a concern on the CQC website.
Complaining about social care services for older or vulnerable people
Age UK
Tavis House
1-6 Tavistock Square
London
WC1H 9NA
Email: Use the contact form on their website
Twitter: @age_uk
Website: www.ageuk.org.uk
Advice Line: 0800 678 1602
Every day, 8am to 7pm.
Calls are free from mobiles and landlines.
Age UK can give advice about adult social care options and complaints.
Hourglass
Office 8, Unit 5, Stour Valley Business Centre
Brundon Lane, Sudbury
Suffolk
CO10 7GB
Telephone free: 0808 808 8141
Textphone free 078 6005 2906
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Email: enquiries@wearehourglass.org
Website: www.wearehourglass.org
Calls are free from mobiles and landlines.
Hourglass is an organisation that can help if an older person is being abused or neglected while in care.
Disability Rights UK
Plexal
14 East Bay Lane
Here East
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Stratford
London
E20 3BS
Telephone: 0330 995 0400
Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm
Disabled Students Helpline: 0330 995 0414
Tuesday and Thursday, 11am to 1pm
Email: enquiries@disabilityrightsuk.org
Email: students@disabilityrightsuk.org
Website: www.disabilityrightsuk.org
Your call is likely to be free of charge if you have a phone deal that includes free calls to landlines - find out more about calling 03 numbers.
Disability Rights UK can help you make a complaint about social care provided by your local council.
Care Quality Commission (England)
Citygate
Gallowgate
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4PA
Telephone: 0300 061 6161
Textphone Relay UK: 18001 03000 616161
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm
Excluding bank holidays
E-mail: enquiries@cqc.org.uk
Website: www.cqc.org.uk
Your call is likely to be free of charge if you have a phone deal that includes free calls to landlines - find out more about calling 030 numbers.
You can tell the Care Quality Commission (CQC) about your concern with any care or health service. The CQC can inspect health services and make them improve. They can’t help you directly with your problem - for example, they can’t help you get compensation. The CQC is an independent organisation.
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