Gateway Digest

Where can I find housing or advice about housing options?Posted Wednesday 18th April 2018

Housing Options and Advice, based in the Millennium Centre, have a team of people available to assist in finding the best housing solution for you, and can assist if you are looking:

For emergency accommodation
To rent from a private landlord

Housing Options and Advice can also offer advice on all matters relating to your housing circumstances, regardless of your tenure – this includes advice on tenancy rights and an advocacy service where officers from Housing Options provide direct advice and representation for you (e.g. in court).

The Council also provide a comprehensive collection of information on all housing matters on their website – this includes information on adapting/improving/repairing your home, benefits and grants, building control, council housing, council tax, homelessness, land, planning, right to buy and supported/sheltered housing.

Under One Roof was developed by St Helens Council, Helena Partnerships and other housing associations in St Helens. Helena Partnerships, Arena Housing and Riverside are full partners with Under One Roof and do not have a waiting list for their properties in the St Helens area. Under One Roof also works with other housing associations in St Helens who have agreed to advertise some of their properties through Under One Roof but do have waiting lists of their own, which you can apply to directly. Through Under One Roof you can bid for a home that is right for your needs and you have more choice about where you live. If you would like to become a member of Under One Roof you will need to complete an application form which can be found on their website, call 01744 63 63 63 or visit UOR TV to request an application form.

Where can I go to get a replacement hearing aid battery?Posted Wednesday 18th April 2018

Replacement hearing aid batteries are available to collect from the NHS Walk-in Centre located within the Millennium Centre on Corporation Street. NHS patients can come to the Deafness Resource Centre, as long as they bring their Brown Book.

How do I access chiropody?Posted Wednesday 18th April 2018

Chiropody services in St Helens are provided by Knowsley Podiatry Service based within Whiston Primary Care Resource Centre (L35 3SX). If you require a home visit (i.e. if housebound) you will need to contact your GP for a referral, however if you do not require a home visit you can self-refer by calling 0151 290 2000 Monday to Friday between 10am and 12pm or 2pm and 4pm.

Where can I find private health/medical insurance?Posted Wednesday 18th April 2018

Which (consumer advice agency) have produced a useful guide for choosing private medical insurance – click here to view their guide.

Private health care/insurance is available from a number of large organisations such as Aviva, Bupa, Prudential, Saga, Simply Health and WPA.

Where can I go for alternative therapies?Posted Wednesday 18th April 2018

Alternative therapies may include acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic, hypnotherapy, massage and reflexology. Such therapies are usually provided by small independent organisations such as: The North Spa, Omni Therapy Rooms, Body Matters Sports & Holistic Therapy, Acupuncture Care, Reflexions, St Helens Chiropractic & Acupuncture Clinic, Horrocks Chiropractic.

A register of hypnotherapists is available online, allowing you to find a list of hypnotherapists available in the St Helens area.

How can I get physiotherapy?Posted Wednesday 18th April 2018

Your GP may be able to refer you on to receive physiotherapy through the NHS.
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy website lists all private physiotherapy practices in St Helens if you enter in your post code.
Click here for a Yellow Pages search of Physiotherapists available in St Helens.

North West Borough Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Physiotherapy service can be contacted via the link below. The service can be accessed via self referral or via a GP.

NWBH PHYSIOTHERAPY

How do I access occupational therapy?Posted Wednesday 18th April 2018

Specially trained Occupational Therapists are available through St Helens Council to help people with a disability (physical, learning, mental health condition or medical condition) live as independently as possible. They are able to assess what you need and give appropriate advice, provide you with access to a wide range of specialist equipment, assist in the application of grants or help you find a more suitable home if your current home cannot be adapted.

To find out more about the occupational therapy service and to request an assessment, contact the Council Contact Service on 01744 676 789. Further information can also be found on the St Helens Council website.

I’m looking for my closest Pharmacy or Optician – where can I find one?Posted Wednesday 18th April 2018

The NHS Choices website provides a comprehensive list and contact details of local pharmacies and opticians. Simply click on the relevant link below and enter your post code:

Pharmacies
Opticians

How do I register with a Dentist or receive emergency dentist work?Posted Wednesday 18th April 2018

The NHS Choices website provides a comprehensive list and contact details of local Dentist surgeries – click here and enter your post code to view a list of the nearest ones (you can also narrow your search results to display only those accepting new NHS patients too).

Emergency Dentist work
If you need urgent dental treatment and have a regular NHS dentist then contact the dentist surgery directly for advice.

Where can I find hospital ward visiting times?Posted Wednesday 18th April 2018

If you are visiting a relative or friend in hospital, you can view visiting times and contact numbers of individual wards/departments by clicking on one of the following links:

St Helens Hospital visiting times
Whiston Hospital visiting times