Find me a ...(and are they registered/qualified?)
Doctor - GP
- GP practices in England can be found by a search feature on the NHS Choices website.
- GP practices in Wales are listed on NHS Direct Wales.
- GP practices in Northern Ireland can be found on the Health & Care in Northern Ireland website.
- GP practices in Scotland are listed on NHS 24.
- Tagish Directory Lists Postal Addresses and Contacts for NHS Hospitals, Trusts, Primary Care Centres (GP surgeries) and Health Authorities.
- www.specialistinfo.com This site includes details of over 34,000 GPs indexed by name, practice name, town and postcode for easy access.
- Click for Health - a large directory of doctors' surgery and health centre websites.
Doctor - NHS Specialist
- Dr Fosters Consultant Guide can search for a consultant by speciality, procedure or name, in your local area, or throughout the UK. (Note: specialists usually only accept patients with a referral, normally from a GP.)
- Specialist Info Details on over 26,000 UK Consultants, including their special interests, specialty, hospitals (with maps), clinic times, and contact details. The site is indexed by name, geographic region, specialty and special interests making it easy to use. The site also includes details of over 34,000 GPs indexed by name, practice name, town and postcode for easy access. (Note: specialists usually only accept patients with a referral, normally from a GP.)
- Consultant Search a consultant-led site that matches patients to the correct specialist via their diagnosis.
Doctor - Private Specialist
- Private Healthcare UK has a 'find a doctor' facility to search the private doctors and specialists databases of some of the leading UK private hospital organisations.
- Specialist Info Details on over 26,000 UK Consultants, including their special interests, specialty, hospitals (with maps), clinic times, and contact details. The site is indexed by name, geographic region, specialty and special interests making it easy to use. The site also includes details of over 34,000 GPs indexed by name, practice name, town and postcode for easy access. (Note: specialists usually only accept patients with a referral, normally from a GP.)
- Medical Pages is portal for Private Healthcare specialists in the UK and Ireland.
- The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons website lists accredited surgeons.
- Consulting Room includes a UK directory of cosmetic surgery providers.
Hospital - NHS
- NHS hospitals in England can be found by a search feature on the NHS Choices website.
- NHS hospitals in Wales are listed on NHS Direct Wales.
- NHS hospitals in Northern Ireland can be found on the Health & Care in Northern Ireland website.
- In Scotland are listed on NHS 24.
- Tagish Directory Lists Postal Addresses and Contacts for NHS Hospitals, Trusts, Primary Care Centres (GP surgeries) and Health Authorities.
- Dr Fosters Hospital Guide to hospitals in the UK
Hospital - Private
- Dr Fosters Hospital Guide to hospitals in the UK
- Private Healthcare UK has details or a number of private hospital organisations.
- CareHealth provides information on private hospitals in the UK and guidance on how to assess them.
- Hospital Management Trust runs independent hospitals and care homes around the UK. Its objectives are to promote and develop the services of charitable and religious hospitals and care homes.
- See also our private health page of links
Accident and Emergency Department
- Search for your nearest A and E department on the NHS Choices website.
NHS Walk-in Centre
- Search for your nearest NHS Walk-in Centre on the NHS Choices website.
Minor Injuries Unit
- Search for your nearest minor injuries unit on the NHS Choices website.
Hospice
- See our hospice page.
NHS Trust, Health Authority, PCT, Health Board, etc
- Contact details for English NHS Trusts are on the NHS Choices website.
- In Wales are listed on NHS Direct Wales.
- In Northern Ireland can be found on the Health & Care in Northern Ireland website.
- Tagish Directory Lists Postal Addresses and Contacts for NHS Hospitals, Trusts, Primary Care Centres (GP surgeries) and Health Authorities.
Dentist
- Find-a-dentist website from the British Dental Association.
- Dentists in England can be found by a search feature on the NHS Choices website.
- Dental practices in Wales are listed on NHS Direct Wales.
- Dental practices in Northern Ireland can be found on the Health & Care in Northern Ireland website.
- Dental practices in Scotland are listed on NHS 24.
- The cosmetic dentistry guide provides information on cosmetic dental treatments.
- See also our dental health page of links.
Optician / Optometrist
- Find an Optometrist / Optician from a searchable database of practices listed on the website of the General Optical Council.
- Optometrists / Opticians in England can be found by a search feature on the NHS Choices website.
- Optometrists / Opticians in Wales are listed on NHS Direct Wales.
Pharmacist / Pharmacy
- Pharmacies in England can be found by a search feature on the NHS Choices website.
- Pharmacies in Wales are listed on NHS Direct Wales.
- Pharmacies in Northern Ireland can be found on the Health & Care in Northern Ireland website.
- Pharmacies in Scotland are listed on NHS 24.
Chiropodist / Podiatrist
- Society of Chiropodists & Podiatrists (SCP) website lists chiropodists and podiatrists registered with the Health Professions Council.
- The Institute of Chiropodists & Podiatrists provides access to chiropodists, podiatrists and foot care professionals who are members of the Institute.
Dietitian / Weight Control
- The Dietitians Unlimited website provides contact details of freelance dietitians that work independently in the broad areas of food, nutrition and dietetics.
- Search for your nearest weight loss service on the NHS Choices website.
- Righttherapist.com an independent directory of therapists and counsellors in the UK.
- See also our many links to organisations concerned with tackling obesity and overweight.
Physiotherapist
- Chartered Society of Physiotherapy website tells how you can use NHS physiotherapy services, and also helps you to find a chartered physiotherapist that offers private services.
Family Planning Clinic
- The fpa list local clinics.
Counsellor
- Foundation for Psychotherapy and Counselling Has 700 professionally trained and experienced members who offer counselling and psychotherapy on an individual and group basis. Their website is designed to help you find a therapist and learn more about what is involved in the process.
- 'Seeking a Therapist' page on website of British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
- COSCA - Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland is Scotland's professional body for counselling and psychotherapy. Their website provides useful information for the general public including how to find a counsellor or psychotherapist.
- Counselling Directory lists counsellors and psychotherapists who are registered with a recognised professional body or who have sent them copies of their qualifications and insurance cover.
- Righttherapist.com an independent directory of therapists and counsellors in the UK.
- National Counselling Society supports and promotes counselling and counsellors and has a 'Find a Counsellor' section on their website.
- Find Me a Therapist an independent directory of counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK.
Relationship / Sex Counsellor
- Relate is the UK's largest relationship counselling organisation. You can search for your local counsellor on their website.
- The British Association for Sexual and Relationship Therapy provide a list of accredited therapists on their website.
- The Institute of Psychosexual Medicine provide a list of doctors and their clinics, both private and NHS, with whom you can discuss your sexual problem.
- Marriage Care have a directory of local services.
- Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships provide counselling and psychotherapy to couples and parents in London.
- Couples Counselling Network have details of counsellers throughout the country.
- See also the organisations listed in our Relationships / Sexual Problems chapter.
- Righttherapist.com an independent directory of therapists and counsellors in the UK.
Arts Therapist
- British Association of Dramatherapists can give information about drama therapists.
- British Association of Art Therapists can give information about art therapists.
- Association of Professional Music Therapists can give information about music therapists.
- Righttherapist.com an independent directory of therapists and counsellors in the UK.
Psychologist / CBT Therapist / CAT Therapist
- 'Find a Psychologist' page on website of British Psychological Society.
- British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies have a 'find a therapist' section on their website.
- Online Mental Health Ltd provide an online psychiatric and psychological treatment service.
- Association of Cognitive Analytic Therapists lists Registered and Accredited CAT Psychotherapists.
- Righttherapist.com an independent directory of therapists and counsellors in the UK.
- Find Me a Therapist an independent directory of counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK.
Psychotherapist
- 'Seeking a Therapist' page on website of British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
- UK Council for Psychotherapists has a section on their website called 'seeking a psychotherapist'.
- British Psychoanalytic Council has a section on their website called 'Find a Therapist'.
- COSCA - Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland is Scotland's professional body for counselling and psychotherapy. Their website provides useful information for the general public including how to find a counsellor or psychotherapist.
- Foundation for Psychotherapy and Counselling Has 700 professionally trained and experienced members who offer counselling and psychotherapy on an individual and group basis. Their website is designed to help you find a therapist and learn more about what is involved in the process.
- British Association of Psychotherapists website gives information on how to find a therapist.
- Association of Cognitive Analytic Therapists lists Registered and Accredited CAT Psychotherapists.
- Righttherapist.com an independent directory of therapists and counsellors in the UK.
- Find Me a Therapist an independent directory of counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK.
Addiction / Alcohol Help Centre
- Drinkline can give advice on local alcohol services.
- National Drugs Helpline ('Frank') can help direct you to local services.
- National Addiction Rehabilitation Directory contains contact information for many hundreds of UK based addiction treatment services, and organisations providing rehabilitation for people suffering with chemical dependency problems.
- Righttherapist.com an independent directory of therapists and counsellors in the UK.
- See also our alcohol and addiction pages.
Occupational Therapist
- OTIP - Occupational Therapists in Independent Practice, have an online directory of therapists.
Speech Therapist
- See the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists website for advice.
- ASLTIP - Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice, have an online directory of therapists.
Nurse
- See our Carers page for many links to caring organisations, nursing home directories, and similar agencies.
Continence Nurse / Clinic
- The bowel and bladder foundation have a Continence Clinic Directory where you can search by postcode for your nearest clinic.
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
- See the main CAB website for details of local bureau.
Maternity Unit / Midwife
- Search for your nearest NHS maternity unit on the NHS Choices website.
- Dr Fosters Birth Guide covers every maternity unit in the country, and allows you to compare information.
- Independent Midwives Association provide a directory of midwives who work outside the NHS.
Fertility Clinic
- HFEA Directory of Clinics.
- See also our infertility page of links
Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic (Genitourinary Medicine Clinic)
- Website of British Association for Sexual Health and HIV provides a directory of clinics for the UK & Republic of Ireland.
- Search for your nearest 'Sexual Health Services' provider on the NHS Choices website.
Cosmetic Surgeon / Clinic
- The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons website lists accredited surgeons.
- Private Healthcare UK has a facility to search for doctors and clinics involved in cosmetic surgery.
- See also our private health page and cosmetic surgery page of links.
- Consulting Room includes a UK directory of cosmetic surgery providers.
Stop Smoking Service
- Search for your nearest stop smoking service on the NHS Choices website.
- See also our many links to organisations concerned with tackling smoking.
Environmental Health Officer
- The Food Standards Agency website enables you to find you local food standards enforcer.
Blood Donor Session
- National Blood Service give session times and places.
Social Care Services
- See the direct gov website for information and advice.
- Local Social Care Services in Northern Ireland can be found on the Health & Care in Northern Ireland website.
Fitness Centre / Personal Trainer
- Find a local keep fit class on the Keep Fit Association's website.
- The Fitmap has a searchable directory of health clubs, gyms, and personal trainers.
- Gymuser has a searchable directory of health clubs, gyms, and personal trainers.
Health and Safety Officer
- See the website of the Health and Safety Executive
First Aid Instructor
- See our First Aid page of links.
Alternative / Complementary Practitioner
- Dr Fosters Complementary Therapist Guide aims to help you find the best practitioner for you in five principal therapies: acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal medicine, homeopathy and osteopathy.
- See also our Complementary Health page which has an extensive list of links to the regulatory bodies for various complementary and alternative therapies.
- Therapy Directory lists therapists who are registered with a recognised professional body or who have sent them copies of their qualifications and insurance cover.
Chiropractor
- The General Chiropractic Council has a 'find a chiropractor' facility on their website.
Osteopath
- The General Osteopathic Council has a 'find an osteopath' facility on their website.
Screening Service
- The UK Screening Portal is the website of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), funded by the Health Departments in each of the UK countries. The UK NSC is responsible for providing advice on screening to each of the four countries.
Care / Residential / Nursing Home / Care Centre
- Our Carers page of links includes a list of websites aimed at carers and people in need of care who are looking for the right accommodation.
Patient Support Group / Self Help Group
- See our extensive self help and support group directory.
Life Coach
- Search for your nearest life coach on this website directory of life coaches.
Parenting / Childcare Service
- Search for your nearest parenting and childcare services on the NHS Choices website.
- Home-Start provides informal and friendly support for thousands of parents and children in 337 communities across the UK. Search for your nearest Home Start scheme.
- See also our many links to organisations concerned with parenting and childcare.
Dispensing Appliance Contractor
- Search for your nearest Dispensing Appliance Contractor on the NHS Choices website.
Medical Equipment Supplier
- See our equipment page.
Is Your Practitioner Registered / Qualified?
- General Medical Council register of Doctors.
- General Dental Council register of dentists.
- General Optical Council holds a searchable register of dispensing Opticians and Optometrists.
- Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain register of Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians (on the voluntary register) and pharmacy premises.
- Nursing and Midwifery Council 'search the register' page.
- General Chiropractic Council register of Chiropractors.
- General Osteopathic Council register of Osteopaths.
- Health Professions Council regulates: Arts Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Chiropodists, Podiatrists, Paramedics, Clinical Scientists, Physiotherapists, Dietitians, Prosthetist & Orthotists, Hearing Aids, Medical Lab Scientific Officers, Operating department practitioners, Radiographers, Orthoptists, Speech & Language Therapists and has a facility for you to check whether your practitioner is state registered.
- Our Complementary Health page lists various organisations who register accredited practitioners for a number of complementary health therapies.
For further details see 'Who regulates health and social care professionals' - a leaflet developed as a joint initiative by the UK's 13 health and social care regulators.