Health and hygiene
Finding the right NHS service for you
When you use the right NHS service, you get the right treatment sooner. Keeping this list to hand, particularly when times are tough - can get you where you need to be, faster, and ease stress.
Get to know where to go here: 3 steps to keep healthy this winter | Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership (gmintegratedcare.org.uk)
Download your Get to know where to go booklet: nhs-winter-resillience-families-leaflet-a4-fin3.pdf (gmintegratedcare.org.uk)
If you’re not sure what to do or where to go visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111. It’s available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Hygiene and personal care
Keeping yourself or someone you care for clean and well may be more challenging with increases in the cost of living. See below for available support across Greater Manchester.
Help with water
If you use a lot of water, either for medical reasons or because you have a household with three or more school-age children - you could be entitled to help with your water bills.
To find out which water company supplies your area, visit the Consumer Council for Water's website.
To check if your water company has a hardship scheme visit the Consumer Council for Water website.
Struggling with hygiene
If you’re finding it difficult to cope with washing or general hygiene, for yourself or someone you care for contact your local authority, a local carers’ organisation or call the Carers Direct helpline on 0300 123 1053.
Laundry services
For people who have incontinence, bowel or bladder problems and find it difficult to manage laundry – your local authority may provide a laundry service to help. Visit the NHS website to find your adult care provider and get in touch with them about support on offer.
Dental health
NHS dental care and hygiene
If you need help accessing affordable dentistry, visit the NHS website to search for your nearest NHS dental practice and get in touch with them.
There are a number of reasons why you may be entitled to free dental treatment, including being pregnant (or had a child in the last 12 months), under 18, under 19 and in full-time education, receiving low income benefits, or if you're under 20 and a dependent of someone receiving low income benefits. Visit the NHS website to find out more about free dental treatment.
Urgent dental care
If you need help with an urgent dental problem, call the Urgent Dental Care Service on 0333 332 3800, available from 8am to 10pm every day, including weekends and bank holidays. This is an appointment only service for critical needs and will carry a fixed patient charge of £23.80.
Community dental services
Community dental services are available to ensure everyone can have access to dental health. There may be a number of reasons this is needed, such as if people have disabilities, vulnerable children, mobility and accessibility needs.
To find out more about the community dental care available in your area, contact NHS England on 0300 311 2233 or visit:
- Bolton, Bury, Heywood, Rochdale, Middleton, Oldham, Tameside and Glossop, Stockport, Trafford: Community Dental Network – Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Manchester: Dental Service - Manchester Local Care Organisation
- Salford: Dental : Northern Care Alliance