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You can now donate directly to the West Herts Branch online via People's Fundraising.

Help from the NHS

This page lists the various services available to you through the NHS

NHS 111 Service

Dial 111 for urgent but not emergency medical enquiries and for GP out-of-hours service.

The Hertfordshire Neurological Service

The Herts Neurological Service is an excellent resource for those with Parkinson’s. We have Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialists working as part of this service, and they work as part of a team that includes nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, a dietician and clinical psychologist. This
means that a wide range of Parkinson’s problems can be dealt with by the one team. To self-refer, please call 01923 299106.

By April 2016 it is going to be based in Langley House, 696-698 St. Albans Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 9FG.

Treatment may be given at various sites across West Hertfordshire and in Hatfield. You may be offered appointments at your nearest centre, or even at home. The service runs a One Stop Shop where you can see a Parkinson’s Nurse, a Neurological Physiotherapist and a Neurological Occupational Therapist all on one day. This can be tiring but can, in a crisis, be a quick way to sort out several problems at the same time.

The Neurological Service also runs a Self Management Programme that can be a very efficient way of getting information to help you manage and plan how you deal with the shock of diagnosis and then any physical, emotional or practical issues that might arise. See Page 23 for more information about the Self Management course.

The Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

Manages community health care services. To contact them and find out more you can telephone 01707 388000 or go on their website www.hct.nhs.uk

Hertfordshire Falls Liaison Service

If you find you are having falls you can ask your GP to refer you to this service. They will assess you and if appropriate will offer you a place on a free 12 week Strength and Balance Exercise class. There are two levels, depending on your needs, and you can progress over time from one level to the other. The GP makes the referral and then they will call the individual into a location as close as possible to their home for an assessment and then a series of 12 classes if
appropriate.

To get more information on this service, phone 0800 007 5200.

The Wheelchair Service

They will supply and fit free wheelchairs on the basis of clinically assessed need. A voucher scheme may allow you to upgrade if appropriate. Based at Parkway, Birdcroft Road, Welwyn Garden City, Tel: 01707 386860.

 

The Adult Bladder & Bowel Care Service

A team of specialist nurses dealing with continence issues. Referral by GP or other health professional. Call 01462 492502 with any queries.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
(for Herts Community NHS Trust)

A confidential service to provide information and to respond to your concerns or queries on NHS services. Tel. 0800 011 6113 or e-mail pals.hchs@nhs.net.

The Adult Speech and Language Service

This service has a single point of contact for West Herts: Tel. 01923 217477.

Intermediate Care Teams

These work in the short term to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions or help facilitate early discharge. Referral is by GP, other health professional or Health & Community Services.

Your GP

Your first point of contact for repeat prescriptions and concerns about your general health. They can also make referrals for any appropriate clinician or service, such as dietitians, therapists, continence-nurses and counselling as well as District nurses.

The West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust

The Trust manages Hemel Hempstead, St Albans and Watford hospitals.

Consultants for Neurologist or Elderly Care

After diagnosis you should continue to see your Consultant at regular intervals (every 6 months to a year) to discuss medication and any other problems you are experiencing, as they may be related. You are entitled to ask for a second opinion from a different consultant, which has to be made via the GP. Don’t be afraid to
discuss immediate issues on the phone with the Consultants’ secretaries.

Herts Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Has specialist mental health teams for older people. Multi-disciplinary teams that help with the health and social aspects of dementia: Watford, Three Rivers and Hertsmere 01923 212054, St Albans 01727 855475, Dacorum 01442 876441.

The Early Memory Diagnosis and Support Service (EMDASS)

Provides assessment and support for those with concerns about memory problems, and is available via your GP.