Accident and Emergency
Only if you have a severe injury or in the event of a serious accident should you call 999.
There is an Accident and Emergency (A & E) Unit at Doncaster Royal Infirmary and a Minor Injuries Unit at Mexborough Montagu Hospital.
For other accidents and emergencies, GP's operate an out-of-hours service. If you need to see a doctor through the night or at the weekend, the answerphone service on your G.P.'s telephone will give you the number to ring or your call will be transferred to the emergency centre, which is staffed by receptionists and GP's. This is not a 'Drop in' service, you must telephone your GP's surgery first to access this service.
Contacts:
Doncaster Royal Infirmary
Tel: 01302 366 666 (main switchboard)
Mexborough Montagu Hospital
Tel: 01709 585 171 ext. 5330
Your own G.P.
Blood Donors
The National Blood Service is very reliant on regular donors to maintain it's blood supplies. Potential donors are always being sought, as are donors of bone marrow and tissue. You could donate your blood three times a year. In addition to the contract details shown below, information is available on BBC Ceefax page 465.
Contacts:
Tel: 0845 7711 711
Website: www.blood.co.uk
Chequer Road Clinic
This clinic, near to the centre of the town, provides health services in, breast screening, children's eye tests, chiropody, dental care, family planning, speech and language therapy and welfare food. It is also the yellow fever vaccination centre.
Contacts:
Health Centre and Clinic
Chequer Road
Doncaster
DN1 2AD
Tel: 01302 367 051
Tel: 01302 347 403
E-mail: aileenabbott@nhs.net
Complaining about Health Services
For cpmplaints about the PCT, GPs, Dentists, Pharmacists and Optitians contact:
The Complaints Manager
Doncaster PCT
White Rose House
Ten Pound Walk
Doncaster
DN4 5DJ
Tel: 01302 320 111 extension 3407
For all other complaints, including District Nurses, Health Visitors and Intermediate and Speciality Care Services contact:
Clinical Services Project Managers
Doncaster PCT
Park Lodge
St. Catherine's
Tickhill Road
Balby
Doncaster
DN4 8QN
Tel: 01302 796 912
Continence Advisory Service
This service is provided through Doncaster PCT. Assessments are made by community nurses who will discuss the products required. A home delivery service is provided and staff of the Service are available on a regular basis for consultation and to arrange reassessments etc.
Contacts:
Continence Advisor
Holly Bush Health Centre
Edenthorpe
Doncaster
DN3 2PP
Tel: 01302 890 444
Fax: 01302 883 993
Dental Treatment
If you need emergency treatment and are registered with a dentist, you should contact your own dentist for advice, if this is possible. In all other circumstances, including emergency care for those who are not registered, you should contact NHS Direct or the local Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
A new Dental Access Centre at Mexborough Montagu Hospital provides dental services on a 'phone and go' basis to patients who are not registered with a dentist.
Further information is available on Factsheet (Dentists).
Contacts:
Tel: 0845 4647 (NHS Direct)
Tel: 01302 768 550 (Patient Advice and Liaison Service)
Your own dentist.
Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
The Trust provides mental health and learning difficulty services. It also provides care and support for people with physical disabilities.
Contact:
Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
St. Catherine's House
Tickhill Road
Doncaster
DN4 8JS
Tel: 01302 796 000
Doncaster Primary Care Trust
The Trust is concerned with all NHS services based in the community, such as GP practices, district nurses, pharmacists, opticians, health visitors, dentists etc. It also arranges the provision of hospital services.
The area coveres the same geographical area as the Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council.
Contacts:
Doncaster PCT
White Rose House
Ten Pound Walk
Doncaster
DN4 5DJ
Tel: 01302 320 111
Fax: 01302 730 362
E-mail: enquiries@doncasterpct.nhs.uk
Website: www.doncasterpct.nhs.uk
Exercise for Health Scheme
GPs who are part of this scheme may be able to refer you to a local Gym or Leisure Centre if you might benefit from being fitter or by losing weight. An initial consultation with a qualified instructor will be free and you will pay half price for training or exercise sessions. These facilities are available at St. James, The Dome, Dearne Valley Leisure Centre, Adwick Leisure Centre and Edlington Leisure Centre, Armthorpe Sports Centre and Campsmount Fitness Club.
Contacts:
Your own GP.
Expert Patients Programme (EPP)
A free six week course is available to anyone with a long-term medical condition, providing information on handling your condition. (More Information)
Contacts:
Your own GP
Your own PCT
Patients Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Health Costs
If you fulfil certain age criteria (i.e. under 18 or over 60), are in receipt of certain Benefits, or you have a qualifying medical condition, you may be entitled to exemption from some NHS charges or help towards the costs. These include dentists' and opticians' charges, prescription fees and the cost of travelling (by the cheapest means available) to and from a hospital.
Subject to eligibility, as indicated above, you may be entitled to relief from all or part of the costs. The rules are varied and detailed, but full information is available in Government leaflets or from your own dentist, optician etc. For hospital fares you can get forms HC1 and HC5 from the hospital or the Department of Work and Pensions to establish your entitlement and to actually claim a refund from the hospital. Information on the scheme relating to opticians is available in the Factsheet 'Opticians'. If you normally require large quantities of prescriptions and you are not entitled to free prescriptions, a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC), available for 4 months or a year, will save you money.
You can apply for a PPC over the Internet at www.ppa.org.uk, by post using form FP95 (available from your local pharmacy) or from a pharmacy which is registered to sell PPCs.
Further information is available on Factsheet 'Prescriptions'.
Contact:
Tel: 0845 850 1166 (Help with costs)
Tel: 0845 850 0030 (Prescription Prepayment)
Healthy Eating
Your GP practice can offer advice about healthy eating.
Contacts:
Your own GP
Website: www.dh.gov.uk/healthtopics
Hospices
St. John's Hospice
The Hospice, purpose built in 1992 for the care of adult patients with a terminal illness, is located within the grounds of Tickhill Road Hospital. It has ten in-patient beds and provides day care facilities and at-home care.
Contacts:
St. John's Hospice
Weston Road
Balby
Doncaster
DN4 8JS
Tel: 01302 796 939
St. John's Information and Support Centre
Located adjacent to the Hospice, offers help for people affected by cancer and other life threatening illnesses. It offers a library with internet access, complimentary therapies, support for carers, benefits advice and general support, information and advice.
The Centre is open Monday to friday, 9:30 am till 4:00 pm, although some services are by appointment only.
Contacts:
St. John's Information and Support Centre
Weston Road
Balby
Doncaster
DN4 8JS
Tel: 01302 796 600
Minicom: 01302 796 939
Website: www.faze2.info
Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice
A local charity - The Richard Foundation- is building a hospice to provide dedicated facilities for the children of South Yorkshire and the North Midlands. It will help children with terminal or life limiting conditions.
Contacts:
The Richard Foundation
32 - 34 Scott Lane
Doncaster
DN1 1EJ
Tel: 08451 081 579
Fax: 08451 081 580
E-mail: info@bluebellwood.org
Website: www.bluebellwood.org
Hospitals
See Factsheet 'Hospitals' for a list of the main NHS Hospitals in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Humberside, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Hospitals serving the people of Doncaster are Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Mexborough Montagu Hospital and Tickhill Road Hospital, providing services for older people.
Contacts:
Doncaster Royal Infirmary
Armthorpe Road
Doncaster
DN2 5LT
Tel: 01302 366 666
Fax: 01302 320 098
Montague Hospital
Adwick Road
Mexborough
S64 0AZ
Tel: 01709 585 171
Fax: 01709 571 689
Tickhill Road Hospital
Weston Road
Doncaster
DN4 8QL
Tel: 01302 796 000
Hospitals - Patient's Choice
A new service offers patients the choice of an alternative hospital if they have been waiting more than 6 months for treatment. The guaranteed timeframe for treatment of 9 months continues to apply if you choose to remain on your original waiting list. (more)
Contacts:
Waiting, Booking and Choice Team
Barclay Court
Heavens Walk
Doncaster
Tel: 01302 381 938
Website: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Hospital Transport
The Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Mexborough Montagu Hospital are both accessible by public transport, either by services which pass the sites or by changing buses and travelling from the Town Centre. There is a free shuttle service operating non-stop between the two hospitals.
Details of all services are given in leaflets produced by the Transport Executive, or you can call their Traveline seven days a week.
Contacts:
Traveline
Tel: 01709 515 151
Medical Emergencies
If you have a medical emergency and need to see a GP through the night or at the weekend, the answerphone service on your GP's telephone will give you the number to ring or your call will be transferred to the emergency service. This service is operated by Danum Doctor Services Ltd., and is staffed by receptionists and GPs.
Contacts:
Your own GP
NHS Direct
A 24 hr confidential health advice and information service, staffed by information officers and qualified nurses.
Contacts:
Tel: 0845 4647
Website: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Organ Donors
A donor can donate a heart, lungs, kidneys, pancreas, liver and small bowel and restore the sight of two people. There is now a National Organ Donor Register which replaces the old donor card. If you decide to register, you should discuss your decision with those closest to you, so they know your wishes should the time ever come.
Contacts:
The NHS Organ Donor Register
UK Transplant
FREEPOST (SWB1474)
Patchway
Bristol
BS34 8ZZ
Tel: 0845 606 0400
Website: www.uktransplant.org.uk
Orthopaedic Services
The Barnborough NHS Treatment Centre is an Independent Sector Treatment Centre (ISTC) in Chesterfield which provides a wide range of Orthopaedic treatments e.g. hip & knee replacements.
Contacts:
Your own GP
Capio Park Hill Hospital
This private hospital, within the grounds of the Doncaster Royal Infirmary, provides a wide range of surgical procedures. It is recognised as part of the network for all major insurers including BUPA and PPP.
Patients who do not have private medical insurance can still be treated at the hospital under its Fixed Cost Care scheme.
Contacts:
Capio Park Hill Hospital
Thorne Road
Doncaster
DN2 5TH
Tel: 01302 730 300
Fax: 01302 322 499
Website: www.capio.co.uk
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Staff are on hand to help smooth out the wrinkles patients can sometimes encounter when they use NHS services. They can help sort out problems early on, before issues reach the complaint stage, providing free and confidential help and advice.
Contacts:
Through your local surgery, the 'PALS' Drop-In (formerly Health Focus) information centre in the Colonnades shopping precinct, Doncaster or at your local hospital.
Tel: 01302 768 550
Fax: 01302 368 160
E-mail: health.focus@doncasterpct.nhs.uk
Patient Information
In order to provide you with health care and treatment, your GP and others need to keep information about you. But everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential, and measures are taken to protect your identity wherever possible. At the same time you are, by law, allowed to access your own medical records. To view your records you should make your request in writing to the surgery. You may be asked to pay a small fee.
Contacts:
Your GP or practice staff.
Prescription Charges
See also the section headed 'Health Costs' or Factsheet 'Prescriptions' for details of costs.
Primary Care Access Centres
These provide more services than are currently provided at Health Centres e.g. consultant-led outpatient clinics and some diagnostic and treatment services currently provided in hospitals. The Primary Care Trusts have plans to develop new primary care centres in Askern, Edlington, Denaby, Hatfield, Intake, Moorends and Thorne.
In Doncaster town centre there is also the recently opened Dove Primary Care Centre to cater for the special needs of vulnerable and socially excluded people, such as asylum seekers , people with learning disabilities and the homeless.
Smoking and Health
Assistance to help you stop smoking is usually available from your GP or from your Primary Care Trust. Or you can contact Smoking Cessation Service ('Doncaster Stop Smoking Service'). There is an answerphone so calls can be made 24 hours a day.
Contacts:
Doncaster Stop Smoking Service
Tel: 01302 640 064
SureStart
This is a Government funded project aiming to improve support and services for families with children under 4. There are over 15 programmes established within the Doncaster Local Authority.
Contacts:
Through your relevant Primary Care Trust.
Wheelchair Services
People with a long term disability which makes walking difficult can be assessed for the provision of a wheelchair free on loan. Or vouchers can be obtained which would help towards the cost of a more expensive wheelchair. The service is operated by the NHS and can be accessed via your own doctor or nurse or through a physiotherapist or occupational therapist. For those with short term mobility problems or for whom the availability in this way is not possible, you may hire for short term use, from one of a number of organisations and firms providing this service. This includes the hiring of wheelchairs available from Dial Doncaster.
Further information is available on Factsheet 'Wheelchair Hire'.
Contacts:
Your own GP or other Health Professional.
Wheelchair Services (for information only)
Tel: 01302 344 477
DIAL Disclaimer
Whilst all the information given in this fact sheet was correct at the time of going to press,
DIAL Doncaster cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes.
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