You may need information about local health services. For example, you may be looking for a GP surgery to register with or you may need to find out about dentists in your area. Or perhaps you need some advice on health issues, but don't think you necessarily need to visit your family doctor. There are different information services that you can contact depending on whether you live in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

• England: NHS Direct is a confidential health information service, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can contact NHS Direct for information about local health services in your area: for example, if you want to find a local dentist or surgery. You can also call NHS Direct and speak to a nurse for health advice. Call 0845 4647. You can also visit its website at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
• NHS Direct provides a confidential translation service. If you want to use a language other than English call 0845 4647 and say the English name of the language you would prefer to use. Wait on the line until you are connected to an interpreter who can help the NHS Direct staff give you the information you need.
• Wales: If you are living in Wales, call NHS Direct Wales (Galw LECHYD Cymru) on 0845 4647. You can choose either the Welsh or English language service. You could visit its website at www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk
• Scotland: Call NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24. NHS 24 is a similar service to NHS Direct and is available across the whole of Scotland. You can call at any time of day or night for information about local health services or to speak to a nurse for health advice. An interpretation service is available for people whose first language is not English. Its website is www.nhs24.com
• Northern Ireland: For information about local health services contact your regional health and social services board (see the end section for contact details). Unfortunately health and social services boards cannot give health advice over the phone and are not open 24 hours a day.

There are also many specialist independent organisations that may be able to offer you information and advice on your health.

For example, there are different charities providing advice and information on Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, heart problems, lung problems, cancer, strokes, hearing problems, diabetes, sight problems and depression. For contact details of the main national organisations see the Useful Contacts section. The health information lines listed above should be able to tell you about these and other organisations in your local area. You can also call SeniorLine on 0808 800 6565 – the free advice service run by Help the Aged (or if you are in Northern Ireland call SeniorLine on 0808 808 7575). SeniorLine advice workers can give you general advice on health services and health benefits. They can also give you information about the different organisations offering more specialist health advice.

Help the Aged and Age Concern both publish a wide variety of advice leaflets and information sheets on health issues, including sight, hearing, incontinence, health benefits and shingles. For further information contact:

• Help the Aged Information Resources Team: 020 7278 1114
• Age Concern Information Line: 0800 00 99 66.