For many people, navigating the health and care system can be overwhelming; confusing processes, long waits, and uncertainty about where to turn. Our free national Helpline is here to listen, support and guide anyone who needs help for themselves or a loved one.

Our helpline has been there for thousands of people this year who have needed someone to turn to with their health and care concerns.

Whether it’s finding out what to do when you can’t get a GP appointment, understanding your hospital rights, or knowing where to turn next our Helpline is here to help. We’re completely free, independent, and available to anyone across the UK.

Did you know:

• Our helpline is completely free to call, and completely impartial,
• We can support anybody with any health or care need, or anybody who needs information or guidance about a loved one with a health or care need,
• We don’t offer medical advice, but we do help with issues you are having accessing or navigating the health care and services you or your family need,
• Our staff can help with a huge range of issues – from what to do if you can’t get a dental appointment, to where you should go if you have safety concerns.

This year, our Helpline will support more than 4,000 people, each with their own story, each reaching out for support when they felt they had nowhere else to go. A donation of £25 could cover the cost of a phone call, providing support to another patient who needs help to access the right care.  

Your donation, no matter how small, helps us make sure that when someone picks up the phone in need, there’s always someone there to answer.

Donate to our 2025 Christmas Appeal to help us bring support and hope to patients.