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Resources for doctors in difficulty
- Accomodation
- Addictions
- Bereavement
- Career guidance
- Counselling and support
- Disabilities
- Employment and legal
- Financial
- International doctors
- Mental health
- Relationships
- Royal Colleges and Postgraduate Deans
- Stress
- Training and education
Accomodation
Medics on the Move
A national relocation and home search service for medics. Providing help with all aspects of moving, whether renting or buying a property.
www.medicsonthemove.co.uk
Addictions
Addaction
Addaction is a major national drug and alcohol treatment charity in the United Kingdom.
www.addaction.org.uk
Alcohol Concern
Alcohol Concern acts as the national umbrella body for 500 local agencies tackling alcohol-related harm and offering help to the families and friends of those with alcohol-related problems.
www.alcoholconcern.org.uk
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Alcohol Recovery Project
The Alcohol Recovery Project exists to provide quality services for those with drink with drink-related problems and their friends and families.
www.arp-uk.org
British Doctors and Dentists Group
The BDDG is a service for recovering alcoholic and drug dependent doctors and dentists, and students.
www.medicouncilalcol.demon.co.uk/bddg.htm
Clinicians' Health Intervention, Treatment and Support
CHITS exists to promote a consistent, effective response to substance misuse problems among professionals throughout the UK.
Tel: 01335 341144
Fax: 01335 347030
email : avoca@birdsgrove.freeserve.co.uk
Gamblers Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who have joined together to do something about their own gambling problem and to help other compulsive gamblers do the same.
tel: 08700 50 88 80
www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
GamCare
GamCare provides support, information and advice to anyone suffering through a gambling problem.
Helpline: 0845 6000 133
tel: 020 7801 7000
fax: 020 7801 7033
email: info@gamcare.org.uk
www.gamcare.org.uk
Medical Council on Alcohol
The MCA is an organisation of registered medical practitioners with a view to understanding of alcoholism and its prevention and the treatment and after-care of alcoholics.
www.medicouncilalcol.demon.co.uk
Narcotics Anonymous
NA is a non-profit, international, community based organisation for recovering addicts that's active in over 60 countries. NA members learn from one another how to live drug free and recover from the effects of addiction in their lives.
email: helpline@ukna.org
www.ukna.org
Release
Release offers a range of specialist services to professionals and the public concerning drugs and the law. It provides advice to drug users, their families, friends, and statutory and voluntary agencies. Advice is free, professional, non-judgmental and confidential.
tel: 0845 450 0215
email: ask@release.org.uk
www.release.org.uk
Sick Doctors Trust
Provision of early intervention and treatment for doctors suffering from addiction to alcohol or other drugs.
www.sick-doctors-trust.co.uk
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Bereavement
London Bereavement Forum
London Bereavement Network (LBN) is a forum for bereavement services throughout the Greater London area.
www.bereavement.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Care
Cruse Bereavement Care offers free information and advice to anyone who has been affected by a death; provides support and counselling one to one and in groups; offers education, support, information and publications to anyone supporting bereaved people; increases public awareness of the needs of bereaved people through campaigning and information service.
helpline 0844 477 9400
email: helpline@cruse.org.uk
general email: info@cruse.org.uk
www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk
Career guidance
BMA Career Services
As a BMA member, you have exclusive access to specialist careers information, tools, skills development workshops and coaching through BMA Careers Services.
Check out the range of new career management and professional development workshops on offer to all doctors by visiting www.bma.org.uk/careersservices
BMJ Careers
The best place to look for jobs, background information on the latest government initiatives on training and education, information about developing your career, pointers about different career options, short courses on offer and - for a little light relief - some of the unusual things your colleagues manage to find time for when they are not working
www.bmj.com
Medical Forum
The Medical Forum provides career guidance programme for those who are thinking about a change in career direction.
tel: 07000 7901 7318
www.medicalforum.com
MedNet
MedNet provides doctors and dentists working in the area covered by the London Deanery with practical advice about their career, emotional support should they need it and, if appropriate, access to brief or longer term psychotherapy. The service operates on a strictly confidential basis
tel: 020 8938 2411
www.londondeanery.ac.uk
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Counselling and support
BMA Counselling Service and Doctors Advisory Service
For help, counselling and personal support from trained telephone counsellor or peer support from a doctor-adviser.
tel: 08459 200169
www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/Hubhealthandwellbeing
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
The BACP website provides a facility which enables one to search for a therapist in someone’s area who might be able to help with whatever problems are presented.
tel: 0870 443 5252
email: bacp@bacp.co.uk
www.bacp.co.uk
Carers UK / Carers Online
Carers UK is the leading organisation representing the UK's 5.7 million carers.
tel: 020 7490 8818
fax: 020 7490 8824
carer’s line: 0345 573 369
email : info@ukcarers.org
www.carersonline.org.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau
Citizens Advice Bureaux give free, confidential, impartial and independent advice on a limitless range of subjects, including debt, benefits, housing, legal matters, employment, immigration and consumer issues. Bureaux are open to everyone regardless of race, gender, sexuality or disability.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
www.adviceguide.org.uk
Primary Care Support Service
Primary Care Support Service is a service for GPs, dentists and community pharmacists in Wales, run as an independent service and funded by the Welsh Assembly. The service offers counselling, support, education and information
tel: 01248 388288
www.wales.nhs.uk
Psychiatrists' Support Service - Royal College of Psychiatrists
The Psychiatrists’ Support Service is a confidential support and advice telephone helpline to assist doctors in difficulty. Doctors who contact the service must be Members or Associates of the College who may be experiencing difficulties over the following: addictions, bullying and harassment, career pathway, discrimination, examinations, involvement with the General Medical Council or the National Clinical Assessment Service – this is not an exhaustive list.
tel: 0207 245 0412 for the Psychiatrists’ Support Service manager
email: psychiatristssupportservice@rcpsych.ac.uk
Samaritans
Samaritans is available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.
tel: 08457 90 90 90
email : jo@samaritans.org
www.samaritans.org
Take Time
Take Time is a wholly confidential service specifically for junior doctors and dentists in the Yorkshire Deanery needing help with work-related and personal difficulties which may cause anxiety, stress, depression and unhappiness.
tel: 0113 343 4642
email: taketime@leeds.ac.uk
Victim Support Line
Victim Support is the national charity which helps people affected by crime. We provide free and confidential support to help you deal with your experience, whether or not you report the crime.
tel:0845 30 30 900
textphone:020 7896 3776
email: supportline@victimsupport.org.uk
www.victimsupport.org.uk
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Disabilities
Association of Disabled Professionals
Drawing on the expertise of disabled professionals to improve the educational and employment opportunities of disabled people.
tel: 01204 431638
fax: 01204 431638
email: adp.admin@ntlworld.com
www.adp.org.uk
Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Loss
AMPHL provides information, promotes advocacy and mentorship, and creates a network for individuals with hearing loss interested in or working in health care fields.
www.amphl.org
BMA's Doctors with Disabilities
http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/Hubdisability
British Dyslexia Association
The BDA is the voice of dyslexic people. Our vision is that of a dyslexia friendly society that enables dyslexic people to reach their potential.
helpline: 0118 966 8271
email: helpline@bdadyslexia.org.uk
www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
Deaf Professionals Network
This group provides an opportunity to network to share experiences. The website is primarily for d/Deaf Professionals who live in and around London. This website can also be used as a resource for other deaf professionals who cannot attend the network meetings.
email: enquiries@deafprofessionals.com
www.deafprofessionals.com
DIAL UK (Disability Information and Advice Line)
DIAL UK is a national organisation for a network of approximately 130 local disability information and advice services run by and for disabled people.
tel: 01302 310123
www.dialuk.info/index.asp
Disabled Living Foundation Helpline
A national charity that provides free, impartial advice about all types of disability equipment and mobility products for older and disabled people, their carers and families.
tel: 0845 130 9177
textphone: 020 7432 8009
email: advice@dlf.org.uk
www.dlf.org.uk
Dyslexia Action
Dyslexia Action is a national charity and the UK's leading provider of services and support for people with dyslexia and literacy difficulties.
Head office:
tel: 01784 222300
fax: 01784 222333
email: info@dyslexiaaction.org.uk
www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk
Hope 4 Medics
A support group for doctors with disabilities.
email: info@hope4medics.co.uk
www.hope4medics.co.uk/about.php
Mencap
Mencap is the UK's leading learning disability charity working with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
tel: 020 7454 0454
email : information@mencap.org.uk
www.mencap.org.uk
RADAR (Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation)
RADAR's mission is to promote change by empowering disabled people to achieve their rights and expectations and by influencing the way that they are viewed as members of society.
tel: 020 7250 3222
minicom: 020 7250 4119
fax: 0870 141 0337
email: radar@radar.org.uk
www.radar.org.uk
RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind)
RNIB supports blind and partially sighted people.
tel:0845 766 9999
email: helpline@rnib.org.uk
www.rnib.org.uk
RNID (Royal National Institute for the Deaf)
RNID supports deaf and hard of hearing people.
tel: 0808 808 0123
textphone: 0808 808 9000
email: informationline@rnid.org.uk
www.rnid.org.uk
Wales Council for the Blind
The aim of the WCB is to promote the welfare of blind and partially sighted people and the prevention of blindness. WCB is the umbrella body for visual impairment in Wales. It is an independent organisation for Wales.
tel:02920 473954
fax: 029 20 470777
email: staff@wcb-ccd.org.uk
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Employment and legal advice
askBMA
If you have an individual work-related enquiry or problem you have two routes to the information or service you need
tel: 0870 60 60 828
www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/HubEmploymentandContracts
British Medical Association
The BMA is the professional association and trade union for doctors in the United Kingdom.
tel: 020 7387 4499
email info.web@bma.org.uk
www.bma.org.uk
Disability Rights Commission
For some advice about the Disability Rights Commission Act 1999
see: www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1999/19990017.htm
Disability Discrimination Act
Find out about the legislation that is in place to promote civil rights for disabled people and protect disabled people from discrimination.
www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/RightsAndObligations/DisabilityRights/DG_4001068
The Equality and Human Rights Commission
The Equality and Human Rights Commission champions equality and human rights for all, working to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, protect human rights and to build good relations, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to participate in society.
www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/Pages/default.aspx
Medical Defence Union (for MDU members only)
For MDU members, the union provides expert help and advice on medico-legal and ethical matters including handling complaints, claims and GMC cases. It is staffed by a team of medico-legal advisers.
www.the-mdu.com
Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (for MDDUS members only)
The MDDUS is an independent, progressive defence organisation. It supports members with complaints made by patients against them or who are facing disciplinary matters from their employing trust. A highly qualified team of medical and dental professionals gives advice and guidance.
www.mddus.com
Medical Protection Society (for MPS members only)
The Medical Protection Society is the leading provider of comprehensive professional indemnity and expert advice to doctors, dentists and health professionals around the world.
www.medicalprotection.org/uk
Release
Release offers a range of specialist services to professionals and the public concerning drugs and the law. It provides advice to drug users, their families, friends, and statutory and voluntary agencies. Advice is free, professional, non-judgmental and confidential.
tel: 0845 450 0215
email: ask@release.org.uk
www.release.org.uk
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Financial
BMA Charities
A group of charities established to help all doctors and their families in times of need.
tel: 020 7383 6142
The Cameron Fund
The Fund is a charity for doctors who are, or have been, general practitioners, and for their dependants. It offers help in times of poverty, hardship or distress. The Fund aims to meet the needs of its beneficiaries in the fullest and most practical ways possible.
www.cameronfund.org.uk
Department for Work and Pensions – Disability and Carers Service
The Disability and Carers Service (DCS) is an executive agency of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). With offices across the country, the agency provides financial support for disabled people and carers through the administration of: Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Vaccine Damage Payments.
www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/dcs/
Money for Medical Students
A website providing practical, unbiased information and advice to help medical students qualify with a manageable level of student debt.
www.money4medstudents.org
Royal Medical Benevolent Fund (RMBF)
Depending on individual needs and circumstances, RMBF is able to provide grants, loans, information, advice, clothes parcels and payments to assist with domestic and financial crises or help with childcare and other costs.
tel: 020 8540 9194
email : info@rmbf.org
www.rmbf.org
Royal Medical Foundation
The Royal Medical Foundation, a medical benevolent charity assists UK medical practitioners and their dependants who find themselves in financial hardship.
tel: 01372 821 011
www.royalmedicalfoundation.org
Tod Endowment Trust
A trust administered by the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund which provides financial help for members of the medical profession, their spouses, partners and their dependents who are in need of 'rest and recuperation' in Scotland.
tel: 020 8540 9194
email: caseworkeradmin@rmbf.org
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International doctors
British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin
The Physicians of Indian origin have made significant contributions in building and sustaining the National Health Service. The Indian Origin implies people who have origins in the countries of the Indian sub-continent including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. BAPIO was formed in 1996 in Bedford and was launched in 1998. It has close links with the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin.
tel: +44 (0)1234 772355
fax: +44 (0)1234 795820
email: info@bapio.co.uk
www.bapio.co.uk
British International Doctors Association
BIDA aims to protect and promote the interests of overseas doctors, by highlighting the problems they face and by developing policies on the health care of ethnic minorities.
tel: 0161 456 7828
The National Advice Centre for Postgraduate Medical Education (NACPME)
Information for international medical graduates.
tel: 0117 915 7069
email: nacpme@nhscareers.nhs.uk
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/img_qa.shtml
The ROSE website
An NHS led website to support refugee and overseas qualified health professionals, who are settled in the UK, return to work in the health sector.
www.rose.nhs.uk
The General Medical Council (GMC)
The General Medical Council (GMC) registers doctors to practise medicine in the UK. Our purpose is to protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of the public by ensuring proper standards in the practice of medicine.
tel: 08453 573456
www.gmc-uk.org
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Mental health (including eating disorders and phobias)
Depression Alliance
Depression Alliance is the leading UK charity for people affected by depression, offering help to people with depression, run by sufferers themselves. Their website contains information about the symptoms of depression, treatments for depression, as well as Depression Alliance campaigns and local groups.
tel: 020 7633 0557
www.depressionalliance.org
Doctors Support Network
Provision of ongoing confidential advice and support to doctors with mental health problems. All calls are dealt with by doctors.
www.dsn.org.uk
Eating Disorders Association
The EDA helplines are for people who wish to talk about eating disorders and to obtain information about help available in their locality.
adult helpline: 0845 634 1414
email: helpmail@edauk.com
youthline: 0845 634 7650
email: talkback@edauk.com
www.b-eat.co.uk
The Manic Depression Fellowship
The Manic Depression Fellowship is an organisation and registered charity for people whose lives are affected by manic depression. It aims to enable people affected by manic depression (bi-polar) to take control of their lives through its services.
tel: 020 7793 2600
email: mdf@mdf.org.uk
www.mdf.org.uk
MedNet
MedNet provides doctors and dentists working in the area covered by the London Deanery with practical advice about their career, emotional support should they need it and, if appropriate, access to brief or longer term psychotherapy. The service operates on a strictly confidential basis
tel: 020 8938 2411
www.londondeanery.ac.uk
The Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation provides the latest news and events on mental health issues, as well as information on problems, treatments and strategies for living with mental distress.
tel: 020 7802 0300
email: mhf@mhf.org.uk
www.mentalhealth.org.uk
MIND
Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. It works to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress.
MindinfoLine: 0845 766 0163
email: contact@mind.org.uk
www.mind.org.uk
National Phobics Society
NPS is a national registered charity providing support for those affected by anxiety disorders.
helpline: 0870 7700 456
email : nationalphobic@btconnect.com
www.phobics-society.org.uk
SANE
SANELINE offers practical information, crisis care and emotional support to anybody affected by mental health problems.
tel: 0845 767 8000 (from 12 noon to 2am)
www.sane.org.uk
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Relationships
Marriage Care
Supporting people through the best and worst of times in their marriages and family relationships
helpline: 0845 660 6000 (lines open Mon– Fri, 10am - 4pm)
email: info@marriagecare.org.uk
www.marriagecare.org.uk
National Family Mediation
NFM is a network of local not-for-profit Family Mediation Services in England and Wales which offers help to couples, married or unmarried, who are in the process of separation and divorce. We are committed to providing high quality mediation to everyone who needs it in all communities
tel: 01392 271610 (9.00am - 5.00pm (Monday - Friday)
fax: 01392 271945
email: general@nfm.org.uk
www.nfm.org.uk
Relate
Relate is the UK's largest and most experienced relationship counselling organisation helping people to work through their relationship difficulties and reach their own decisions about the best way forward.
tel: (lo-call) 0845 456 1310 or 01788 573241
www.relate.org.uk
Women’s Aid
Women's Aid is the key national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children; supporting a network of over 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the UK.
www.womensaid.org.uk
Royal Colleges and postgraduate deans
Conference of Postgraduate Medical Deans of the United Kingdom
COPMED holds all the name and addresses of postgraduate deans and training programme directors in the UK.
tel: 020 7692 3197
email: copmed@copmed.org.uk
www.copmed.org.uk
Royal College of Anaesthetists
The Royal College of Anaesthetists is the professional body responsible for the specialty of anaesthesia throughout the United Kingdom. Its principal responsibility is to ensure the quality of patient care through the maintenance of standards in anaesthesia, pain management and intensive care.
tel: 020 7092 1500
fax: 020 7092 1730
email: info@rcoa.ac.uk
www.rcoa.ac.uk
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Mentoring Scheme
The scheme is aimed at those obstetricians and gynaecologists who have been experiencing difficulties in relation to their work. The mentors are Fellows or Members of the College who have undergone mentoring training. The RCOG is able to provide mentors from a range of backgrounds and localities.
tel: 020 7772 6369
email: cdhillon@rcog.org.uk
www.rcog.org.uk
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists
The College is the guardian of excellence in the practice of ophthalmology. They champion quality in the care delivered to patients, through the setting of professional standards and through education and training.
tel: 020 7935 0702
fax: 020 7935 9838
www.rcophth.ac.uk
The Royal College of Paediatricians and Child Health
The RCPCH plays a major role in the postgraduate medical education and in setting of professional standards for Paediatricians.
tel: 020 7307 5600
fax: 020 7307 5686
www.rcpch.ac.uk
Royal College of Psychiatrists
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the professional and educational body for psychiatrists in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
email: rcpsych@rcpsych.ac.uk
www.rcpsych.ac.uk
The Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians is a registered charity that aims to ensure high quality care for patients by promoting the highest standards of medical practice. It provides and sets standards in clinical practice and education and training, conducts assessments and examinations, quality assures external audit programmes, supports doctors in their practice of medicine, and advises the Government, public and the profession on health care issues.
main switchboard: 020 7935 1174
information centre: 020 7224 1539
main fax: 020 7487 5218
www.rcplondon.ac.uk
Royal College of Surgeons Confidential Support and Advice Services for Surgeons (CSAS)
CSAS offers a confidential telephone line as a point of personal contact between surgeons which is intended to offer a listening ear and will act as an informed signpost to appropriate sources of advice and support.
tel: 020 7869 6030
email: csas@rcseng.ac.uk
www.rcseng.ac.uk
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Stress
International Stress Management Association
The International Stress Management Association exists to promote sound knowledge and best practice in the prevention and reduction of human stress.
tel: 0700 780430
www.isma.org.uk
Stressline
Stressline is a company based in the North of England. Working with individuals and organisations to minimise stress through its comprehensive service.
tel: 0113 258 5515
email : info@stressline.co.uk
www.stressline.co.uk
Contact
Contact is a confidential and independent support and stress management scheme for doctors and dentists in the West Midlands region that was set up in 1995. The service offers free telephone and face-to-face counselling. The service is not 24 hours but there is a 24-hour answering machine where a contact number can be left and the doctor will be called back.
tel: 0121 558 0278
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Training and education
Conference of Postgraduate Medical Deans of the United Kingdom (COPMeD)
For links to postgraduate deans, deaneries and training programme directors.
tel: 020 7692 3197
fax: 020 7404 2930
email: copmed@copmed.org.uk
www.copmed.org.uk
National Clinical Assessment Service (NCAS)
NCAS is a division of the National Patient Safety Agency, established on 1 April 2001 following recommendations made in the Chief Medical Officer's report, Supporting Doctors, Protecting Patients (November 1999) and Assuring the Quality of Medical Practice: Implementing Supporting Doctors, Protecting Patients (January 2001). The Service's aim is to assist the NHS in handling concerns about the performance of doctors and dentists.
For everything except case advice or support please call the switchboard number: 020 7084 3850
For new case advice in England or Northern Ireland please call our London office’s advice line:
advice line: 020 7062 1655
fax: 020 7084 3851
email: advice.service@ncas.npsa.nhs.uk
For new case advice in Wales please contact our Cardiff office:
telephone: 029 2044 7540
fax: 029 2044 7549
www.ncas.npsa.nhs.uk
NCAS Directory of Resources to Support Doctors and Dentists
This directory is intended to help with the implementation of recommendations following an NCAS assessment of a doctor or dentist. In addition, it should also be useful in supporting educational programmes for doctors and dentists generally and for identifying further training / programmes following determinations made by the General Medical Council or General Dental Council.
www.ncas-resource.npsa.nhs.uk
NHS Education for Scotland
For links to postgraduate deans, deaneries and training opportunities in Scotland.
www.nes.scot.nhs.uk
Medical Women’s Federation
The MWF represents the interests of women doctors to government and national bodies, bringing together women trying to advance their medical careers.
tel: 020 7387 7765
email : admin.mwf@btconnect.com
www.medicalwomensfederation.org.uk
Women in Surgical Training - The Royal College of Surgeons of England
Our mission is to encourage, enable and inspire women to fulfill their surgical ambitions.
tel: 020 7869 6212
email: wist@rcseng.ac.uk
www.rcseng.ac.uk
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