DIAL SOUTH ESSEX
Disablement Information & Advice Line
Health and Well-being Assistance
Medical & Health
DIAL does not deal directly with any questions requiring medical knowledge, as our volunteers are not qualified to give out this kind of information. We do, however, have details of various medical services that are available throughout the area and other organisations, both voluntary and statutory, which will be able to help you with your enquiry.
DIAL does provide information on preventative health measures, which can help to improve a person’s quality of life. Just give us a ring and we will put you in touch with the appropriate people who will be able to give the help and advice that you need.
For complaints against your GP firstly contact the practice manager and if you are still not satisfied then contact your local Clinical Commissioning Group (ask GP for details) the Patient Advice & Liason Service (PALS) for Basildon & Thurrock on 01268 394440 for Southend 01702 385333.
For complaints against NHS contact NHS England on 0300 311 2233 or visit the website www.england.contactus@nhs.net
For toenail cutting service in your own home contact Basildon Community Transport Service on 01268 294334.
In Essex there is now an organisation called Essex Wellbeing Service. The service covers all of Essex and can help patients with their lifestyle choices. People can self refer or be referred by their GP, other organisations for help relating to Alcohol, nutritional support, stress, physical activity, eating habits, lifestyle change, smoking cessation, family support and managing long term conditions. They are open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. Tel: 0300 303 9988 or email: provide.essexwellbeing@nhs.net
There is also Thurrock Lifestyle Solutions on 01375 370460, Email: thls@thurrock.gov.uk or info@choiceandcontrol.co.uk
Aids & Adaptations
Social Care will assess people’s needs and arrange for the provision of appropriate services by an Occupational Therapy Assessment (OT). This includes the needs of carers. An assessment is carried out of the needs of a person who has a substantial and permanent physical or sensory disability, which may result in social, environmental or personal difficulties.
Some of the help that may be provided is a home care package for help with personal care needs, equipment and/or adaptations in the home to help the person to live more safely and independently, carers support, counselling, day centres, residential and/or nursing care, and respite care. People are assessed on how much support they need each week and this can be given in the way of Personal Budgets/Direct Payments to allow the person to find their own services and use their budget to pay for them.
If you think that you could benefit from any of the above services please contact us for further advice or contact Social Care directly on Essex 0345 603 7630, Thurrock 01375 652868, Southend 01702 215008. In Thurrock there is now an organisation called Thurrock First that can help and advise anyone over 18 with advice on Social Care, Mental Health and Community Health Services. They can be contacted on 01375 511000.
Accessible Toilets
Do you have difficulty using public toilets when you are out and about?
Do you need access to a toilet quickly?
Do you need help with your toilet needs when you are out?
If any of the answers to these are yes then why not purchase a RADAR Key. This will unlock most public disabled toilets throughout the UK relieving much of the worry that disabled people face.
DIAL have RADAR Keys available for £5.00 each. Just pop into our main office or any of our advice desks with proof of disability. It's as easy as that. If you have difficulty getting out we can send you a key in the post. Just send us a cheque for £6.95 (this includes the cost of the key and postage and packing), with proof of disability and your name, address and telephone number and we will send the key to you by return post.
Some toilets with additional facilities are now operated by Changing Places. These are specifically designed for use by disabled people who need carers to help them. RADAR Keys will not open these toilets. Most of these toilets display how to gain access and where and how to purchase a key. In Southend you need to be preregistered with Southend Council to access the toilets. Visit the Changing Places website for further information at www.changing-places.org.
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