LINKS AND USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS       

Medical  information Search

With the advent on the internet there is a myriad of information sites available at the click of a button.  It is important to remember that the information on the internet varies from high standard site to that of dubious quality .  Here are suggestions of where  to search, although with the vast amount of material on the web, we cannot validate with certainty that this information is correct .  For many conditions there are specific UK societys that offer sound information.  Use a reliable search engine e.g   www.google.com  and if searching for information on Coeliac disease for exampler                                   Search       ( coeliac+uk+society)  in the search engine which finds    http://www.coeliac.co.uk/

Sites below are divided into General information,    Specific sites and   Research sites ( e.g BMJ & Lancet)

1. General Information sites

Ask your GP for a one of our extensive information sheets which ranges from acne to  shingles.

RD&E  Wonford Hospital  Health Information.  This is a fully staffed walk-in centre for patient information 01392 402071

Very useful general site    http://www.patient.co.uk/

      Comprehensive  medical information  http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/

  National  Electronic  Library for Health

www.surgerydoor.co.uk

Achoo: a Search Engine for Medical Information   http:www.achoo.com/main.asp

2. Specific Information sites            

                                                                                                                                                    

AIDS/HIV: Terence Higgins Trust	http://www.tht.org.uk/
Alzheimer's Disease Society	http://www.alzheimers.org.uk
Arthritis and Rheumatism Council	http://rheuma.bham.ac.uk/arc.html
Asthma and Allergy Research	http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~aair/
BACUP	http://medweb.bham.ac.uk/cancerhelp/public/bacup/
British Digestive Foundation	http://www.bdf.org.uk/
British Healthcare Internet Association	http://www.bhia.org
Deaf and Hard of Hearing	http://www.hearingconcern.com
Dermatolgy  ( Excellent site RD&E)	http://www.swis.net/excg/derm/dermind.htm
Department of Health	http://www.doh.gov.uk/index.html
DVLA	http://www.dvla.gov.uk/at_a_glance/content.htm
Diabetes: Adults	http://www.diabetes.org.uk
Diabetes: Children	http://www.castleweb.com/diabetes
Drugs/Medication see BNF	http://bnf.org
Disabled Living Foundation	http://www.atlas.co.uk/dlf/
Epilepsy	http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/
Health on the Net	http://www.hon.ch/
Hepatitis Network	http://www.hepnet.com/
Information for Dentalphobics	http://www.dentalfear.org/
Marie Stopes Institute	http://www.mariestopes.org.uk/
Mental Health .MIND	http://www.mindinfo.co.uk
Multiple Sclerosis	http://www.mssociety.org.uk/
Public Health	http://www.phls.co.uk
Prostate Help Association	http://www.u-net.com/~pha/
Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus	http://www.asbah.demon.co.uk/ifhsb.html
Travel  see our travel page/links	Travel  see our travel page/links
Twins and Multiple Births                     Association	http://www.surreyweb.org.uk/tamba/
Virtual Hospital	http://www.vh.org/
Women's Health: University of Bristol	http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/ObsGyn
Women's Health/Contraception	http://www.gynpages.com/ultimate/index.html

3. Reaseach Sites                                                                                                                     

SIDMOUTH VOLUNTARY SERVICES

NAME	ADDRESS & TELEPHONE NUMBER	CONTACT PERSON	OTHER INFORMATION
	(YMCA Building) Mill Street EX10 8DF 01395 514445	Jenny Goodhall or Sheila Lewis	Sidmouth Help Link is a Registered Charity 1049852, offering care and support to those in need.  This includes help with shopping, befriending, information , support groups and councelling
Citizens' Advice Bureau	Library Sidmouth Tel: 01395 579769		Provides support & information on your rights & the responsibilities of available services. Tuesday & Thursday 9.30-12.30
Sidmouth Hospiscare. Keel House May Terrace	Breast Support Group Living with Cancer Bereavemnet Support Group	Stella Thompson  Bill Lancaster Mavis Browning	3rd Tuesday every month 1.00-3.00pm 1st Thursday every month 7.30-9.30pm 1st Monday every month  2.30-4.00pm
Launch Pad	The Old Post Office Vicarage Road Sidmouth Tel: 01395 512485	Nigel Jones	Drop-In Centre Wednesday & Thursday 10.00-4.00    Please ring the bell to see Nigel For people of working age with a physical or sensory disability.  provides advice/help regarding education, employment, leisure, sport and social activities.
S.N.A.G. Information Service	The Old Post Office Vicarage Road Sidmouth Tel: 01395 512485	Sidmouth Launch Pad Wednesday 10.00-4.00	A disability information service offering local and national information on education, employment, support groups, benefits etc.
Sidmouth Voluntary Services	Twyford House Coburg Road Sidmouth Tel: 01395 513723	Shelagh Pearson	Day Centre for over 60's - tea, coffee & lunches.
Age Concern Day Centre	Twyford House Coburg Road Sidmouth Tel: 01395 513698	Mrs Joan Shaw	Provides respite care for the over 60's.  Referral through Social Services on 01392 385700
British Red Cross	Unit 3 ,  Banwell House, Old Fore Street .   ( Nr Anchor Pub ) Sidmouth Tel: 01395 515681	Tony Stewart	Provides medical loans, minibus facilities and a day centre.
Home Safeguard Vital Call	Lymbourne House Lymbourne House Sidmouth Tel: 01395 578237	The Health & Housing Dept,   East Devon District Council Sidmouth	Emergency telephone communication system.   Free for those on income support,                 (otherwise approx £30 per quarter)
Sidvale & East Devon Newspaper Association	Tel: 01395 514648	Geoff Eveleigh	Provides local news recorded on tape.  and a monthly magazine. (Tape  recorders can be loaned)
P.U.L.S.E. Prescribed Use of Leisure Sport & Exercise	Sidmouth Sports Centre Primley lane Sidmouth Tel: 01395 577679	Tarida Mears	Supervised prescribed exercise sessions.  G.P. referrals only.
Disabled Swimming	Sidmouth Swimming Pool Ham Street Sidmouth Tel: 01395 577057	Mary Bray	Mondays 11.30-1.00 Supervision by physiotherapist. Assistance provided for changing.

Art for the physically handicapped	Garden Room Twyford House Coburg Road Sidmouth             Tel: 01395 516551 Ext. 401	Mr .R.Golding  ( EDDC) 516981	Art sessions. Material and transport provided within Sidmouth. Thursdays 2.00-4.00
Sidmouth Carers   Support Group	Upper Flat Green Close Drakes Avenue Sidford, Sidmouth Tel: 01395 514664	Mrs M J Bougourd	Monthly meetings to provide mututal support, information and advice for carers.
Sidmouth Stroke Club Trumps Court East Street	Red Cross House Mill Street Sidmouth Tel: 01395 512873	Frances Wells	2nd Tuesday each month 2.30-4.30 Provides an opportunity for social activites for those who have had a stroke and their carers.
South West Multiple Sclerosis Centre	Exeter	Mr Gibbins	www.southwestmscentre.co.uk
Multiple Sclerosis Support Group	Victoria Hospital Sidmouth Tel:  01395 515452	Mrs Jackie Harvey	Support group for people who have multiple sclerosis and their carers, although anyone who is interested is always welcome.
Muscular Dystrophy Group	01666 826545	Catherine North	Support for people who have muscular dystrophy and their carers.
Sidmouth Reablement Service	Victoria Cottage Hospital Sidmouth Tel: 01395 512482	Sue Hill Secretary Weekday mornings	Team of health care professionals offering assessment & treatment to people whose G.P. is Sidmouth based.
Sidmouth Voluntary Services Transport Service	Twyford House Coburg Road Sidmouth Tel: 01395 512221	Shelagh Pearson	Provides transport facilities for elderly as well as disabled people. 9.00-11.00   Mon- Friday
Parkinson's Disease Society	Wynn Smith, 5 West Court,Bridport 01308 423800	Norman Foster	Support group for people who have Parkinson's disease and their carers, family and friends.   4th Tuesday in month at St Swithins Church Hall, Bridport
Motor Neurone Disease Association	Tel: 01395 272966	Mrs Cynthia Hopkins	Support group for people who have motor neurone disease and their carers.
Exeter and East Devon Sports Association for the Disabled	47 Raleigh Hse Exmouth Tel: 01395 271763	Ian Downs	Information resource on sporting activities.
Headway	Launch Pad Honiton Tel: 01404 44070	Gina Small	Advice and support and day services for those who have suffered a head injury and their family's. On Tuesday 10-4pm
Social Services including Meal Services	Adults Exmouth 01392 385700 Child/ Family 01392 385980	District Manager Jan Ingram Weekday office hours	Aims to look after the welfare of people in East Devon by providing a range of information, counselling and practical services.

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS                                                                       

Every effort has been made to validate everything on this site and linking sites but the practice cannot  accept any responsibility for the accuracy of information found on other linking sites even though links may be offered to other sites. This site has been produced by Duncan Hall, with  with input from the Hospital specialities &  the typing help from Joy Golding & SF.

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