Free Benefits Consultation
Navigating the world of benefits and understanding the support you may be entitled to, or even how to apply, can be a real challenge.
We’re delighted to offer you a free, one-to-one consultation with an experienced benefits advisor.
Second Opinion Letter
If you feel like you’re not getting the support you require, or would like a additional medical team(s) elsewhere to look at your child’s case, please print off and use this 2nd Opinion Letter.
PALS
What is PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service)?
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) offers confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters. They provide a point of contact for patients, their families and their carers.
You can find officers from PALS in your local hospital.
How can PALS help?
PALS provides help in many ways. For example, it can:
- Help you with health-related questions
- Help resolve concerns or problems when you’re using the NHS
- Tell you how to get more involved in your own healthcare
PALS can give you information about:
- the NHS
- the NHS complaints procedure, including how to get independent help if you want to make a complaint
- support groups outside the NHS
PALS also helps to improve the NHS by listening to your concerns and suggestions.
How do I contact my nearest PALS?
You can find your nearest PALS office on the NHS website.
You can also ask your GP surgery, hospital or phone NHS 111 for details of your nearest PALS.
Making A Complaint
If you’re not happy with an NHS service, you can make a complaint. You should complain to the person or organisation providing the service first, such as the GP, dentist, hospital or pharmacist.
Alternatively, you can complain to the commissioner of that service – either NHS England or the area Integrated Care Board (ICB).
In general, NHS England commissions most primary care services, such as GP and dental services.
ICBs oversee the commissioning of secondary care, such as hospital care and some community services.
More information can be found on the NHS website.
Support for Brothers and Sisters
Having a brother or sister with DBAS can bring its own worries. Sibs is a UK charity that supports brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults, including people with a serious long-term condition like DBAS.
Sibs can help:
- young siblings aged 7 to 17
- adult siblings aged 18 and over
- parents who want advice on supporting their other children
Call Sibs on 01535 645 453 (9am to 5pm), email info@sibs.org.uk or visit www.sibs.org.uk.
DBAS UK Support Helpline
If your life has been personally affected by DBAS, you’ve come to the right place! We can help.
All you have to do is give us a call on 0845 094 1548.
Please Note: We are not medical professionals and will not give medical advice.