Information and Advice

NHS Direct

NHS Direct provides advice and health information 24 hours a day. This is particularly useful if someone is ill at night, other services are not open or it is difficult to get to another service.

The service is staffed by nurses and professional advisors who can provide information on particular illnesses, where to find local services and self- help or support organisations.

You can call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 (calls chared at local rate) or follow the link below to the NHS Direct Website.

NHS Direct GO >>

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

PALS has been set up to help you make the most of health services. The service can help you to find a GP or dentist, advise on dealing with problems and listen to ideas for improving services.

The freephone service also has an answering machine outside office hours.

Call PALS on 0800 073 0578.

Public Health Annual Report 2005/6 (PDF 4MB)   (Link open in a new window)