Other resources
There is lots of help and support available to you while you wait for your treatment.
See below for a list of both local and national resources and services that you might find useful.
Help available across North East London
Cost of living support
If you’re struggling with money, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone and there are people and organisations that can support you.
This London Hub contains information about benefits, grants and discounts you can get if you’re in financial difficulty, from the Mayor of London, the government, your local council, charities and advice centres. The information might be relevant for you, or you might want to share it with someone you know.
Our local councils also have cost of living hubs:
Patient initiated follow-up (PIFU)
Patient initiated follow-up (PIFU) gives patients and their carers the flexibility to arrange their follow-up appointments as and when they need them, based on their symptoms and individual circumstances.
PIFU can save time for both the patient and the clinician by having any appointment only when either or both feel it is necessary and gives the patient the confidence that they can arrange the appointment if needed.
The short video, produced by our colleagues in Humber and West Yorkshire will tell your more about PIFU
PIFU is available at all three acute Trusts in north east London, Barts Health, BHRUT and Homerton.
Borough based resources
Our Boroughs also provide useful resources on health and social care, including diet, weight loss, mental health and information on local support groups. Links to these resources are below;
PALS
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (also known as PALS) can assist in many ways, including helping with your health-related questions, trying to resolve any problems or concerns you may have while using the NHS and telling you how to get more involved in your own healthcare.
General / national support
The Royal College of Anaesthetists have some great resources for patients, including a video on preparing for your surgery and advice on how to manage any anxiety you might have before it.
If you want to find out more information about long term health conditions, you can visit the NHS website.
For information and videos on mental and physical health, visit the Every Mind Matters website.
The LGBT Foundation provide a huge range of services to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people. These include a range of support groups, a helpline and advice surgeries.
Easy Health are an online library of accessible health information with simple words, clear pictures and films.
Some websites you can visit to get more information on managing any pain you are experiencing include: The Pain Toolkit, The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and Action On Pain