The idea of ‘health’ can cover a lot of areas, and sometimes it can be confusing finding the information you want. Often, a good way of getting the most out of a hospital or doctor’s appointment is writing down and taking the questions you want answered with you, and taking notes of the answers if possible. This way, you’re less likely to leave the appointment feeling confused or worried. For help with possible questions, please call Milton Keynes Centre for Integrated Living (MK CIL), who will be happy to help.
This section provides information on a range of health organisations, as well as some general helpful advice regarding getting to and from hospital appointments and how to make the best use of your local pharmacy.
NHS Direct
Tel: 111
Web: 111.nhs.uk
NHS Direct operates a 24-hour nurse advice and health service information service providing confidential information on:
- What to do if you or your family are feeling ill
- Particular health conditions
- Local healthcare services, such as doctors, dentists, or late-night opening pharmacies
- Self-help and support organisations
NHS Direct works hand in hand with other healthcare services provided by the NHS, helping you make the right choice to meet your needs. If you need health information or advice, at any time of the day or night, ring the above number or visit the listed website. Calls to NHS Direct are charged at local rates and, for patients’ safety, all calls are recorded
MKCIL
MK CIL offers a confidential and free information service, giving information on many health-related issues, ranging from adaptations to incontinence.
Whilst MK CIL cannot give medical advice or counselling, they will be able to put you in touch with someone who can. Appointments are also available for help with disability benefit forms and Blue Badge applications.
PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service)
Main Reception,
Milton Keynes Hospital,
Standing Way,
MK6 5LD
Tel: 01908 995954 Text: 07773 577923
Email: PALS@mkuh.nhs.uk
PALS provides a confidential point of contact for patients, families, and carers by offering on-the-spot help, advice, and information regarding your healthcare.
PALS can help you with the following:
- Giving advice and support and take forward any concerns you may have with the relevant ward or department
- Sharing positive or negative feedback with staff
- Providing information on services provided by the hospital
- Signposting you to other services in the NHS or in the community
- Providing you with the information you need to make a formal complaint
PALS liaises with hospital staff and endeavour to swiftly resolve any concerns you may have. They are here to ensure you receive the support you need to go on to have a positive experience. Please be assured that the team will keep you informed and try to reach a resolution as soon as possible.
Neurological Clinical Specialist Team
Bletchley Community Hospital, Whalley Drive,
Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK3 6EN
Tel: 01908 724633
Text Relay: 18001 01908 72 4633
Web: https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/services/community-services/milton-keynes-neurological-clinical-specialist-team-ncst
The Neurological Clinical Specialist Team is a community-based specialist team of qualified healthcare professionals with a wide range of experience and knowledge relating to neurological conditions and rehabilitation.
The team provides a service for adults (aged 18 and over) with a neurological diagnosis and a GP in Milton Keynes Primary Care Trust.
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm (excluding Bank Holidays)
· Brain Injury Clinical Specialist
· Stroke Clinical Specialist
· Stroke Clinical Specialist Assistant
· Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Specialist
· Neurological Conditions Clinical Specialist
· Multiple Sclerosis Specialist Nurse (Drug Modifying Therapies)
· Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist
· Sapphire Nurse (Epilepsy)
Milton Keynes Adult Speech and Language Therapy Outpatient & Community Services
Luing Cowley Outpatients Building, Standing Way,
Eaglestone, Milton Keynes, MK6 5AZ
Tel: 01908 725292
Web: milton-keynes-adult-hearing-service
Access and treat patients with eating, drinking and swallowing problems, and/or communication problems. Patients can be seen in a number of settings including:
- Home
- Nursing home
- Residential home
- Milton Keynes Neuro-Rehabilitation Unit
- Windsor Intermediate Care Unit or Daycare centres
- Willen Hospice
- Consultant outpatient clinics
Patients can refer themselves by telephone, post or email. The service is only able to treat people with voice problems after they have been seen by the Ear Nose and Throat Team.
Keynes Schools Speech and Language Therapy Team
Tel: 01908 724299
Web: milton-keynes-schools-speech-and-language-therapy-team
Provides services to all primary and secondary schools within Milton Keynes. The Team provides:
- Specialist assessment, diagnosis and speech and language therapy (SLT) intervention for children with developmental and acquired speech and language difficulties.
- Training for staff working in education
Any parent or professional can refer. Please see website for detailed leaflets and resources.
Milton Keynes Early Years Speech and Language Therapy Team
Tel: 01908 725299
Web: early years speech and language
Work with pre-school-age children with speech and language difficulties in addition to feeding and swallowing difficulties.
The Early Years Team have staff who are specialists in:
- Hearing impairment
- Cleft lip and palate
- Social communication difficulties
- Dysfluency
- Speech and language disorders
- Augmentative and alternative communication
There is an online referral form for pre-school aged children. There is also a link to a range of advice and resources.
Milton Keynes Neurological Rehabilitation Service
Bletchley Community Hospital Campus
Whalley Drive, Bletchley, MK3 6EN
Tel: 01908 724633
Milton Keynes Neurological Rehabilitation Service provides rehabilitation for people with neurological conditions.
The service aims to help people live as independently as possible in their home, work, social and community lives, helping them to understand, adjust to and manage their condition. The service also offers support to the individual’s family and carers.
Services are provided by a multidisciplinary team of NHS professionals including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists, and rehabilitation assistants.
Before treatment begins, the team provides an opportunity for the individual to consider their needs with a member of staff and together to plan goals to meet their potential to achieve practical daily living skills. The team provides a time limited course of therapy sessions to meet these goals through outpatient appointments or, when needed, in the person’s home or community setting.
The service is for anyone aged 18 or over who is registered with a Milton Keynes general practitioner (GP) and would benefit from a specialist programme of active rehabilitation, treatment, and carer support to enable them to live as independently as possible in their day-to-day life.
Milton Keynes Falls Service – Staying Steady
Bletchley Community Hospital
Whalley Drive
Bletchley, Milton Keynes
MK3 6EN
Telephone: 01908 725622
Email: fallsprevention.service@nhs.net
Web: staying steady
Staying Steady Milton Keynes offers specialist support to individuals, mainly aged over 65 years, who have fallen or are at risk of falling.
This is part of the Milton Keynes intermediate care service. Support is provided to individuals and their carers to find the best way to prevent falls.
They work in partnership with other organisations such as Age UK.
Sight Testing at Home
DW Roberts, 17 The Square, Wolverton,
Milton Keynes, MK12 5DQ
Tel: 01908 313338
Web: https://www.dwroberts.co.uk/
DW Roberts can arrange for an eye examination to be carried out by one of their experienced optometrists in the comfort of your own home for people who are unable to leave their home unaccompanied.
An optometrist will bring a wide selection of frames with them for you to choose from. Frame prices start from £40. When spectacles are ready, they can either be collected or sent via post.
Many people, including people aged 60 years and over, are entitled to a free NHS sight test, and, in some circumstances, help with the cost of glasses.
See website for details of other branches.
Audiology Services
Entrance 4, Main Outpatient Department, Luing Cowley Centre,
Milton Keynes Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust,
Standing Way, Eaglestone, Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD
Tel: 01908 725 330
Web: https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/services/community-services/milton-keynes-adult-hearing-service
Audiology Services comprise the Audiology and Hearing Aid Department and the Children’s Hearing Assessment Unit. The philosophy is to provide a service to assist in the identification and diagnosis of hearing loss and to minimise, as far as possible, the difficulties arising from it. Following referral from an appropriate health professional, a range of services is offered to both adults and children:
- A full audio assessment service to Ear, Nose and Throat.
- A domiciliary service on GP’s request.
- Direct GP access for audiometry and hearing aids.
- Assessment of babies from the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme and ongoing rehabilitation.
- Tinnitus Service.
- 24-hour hearing aid repair service, excluding weekends and bank holidays.
There is open access for hearing aid repairs and follow up to patients with NHS aids who are under the care of the Audiology Department at Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. These patients can contact the department directly for an appointment. Patients who have been fitted with NHS hearing aids by another provider should contact that provider for follow-up arrangements.
Access for hearing tests for children is usually made through paediatricians, health visitors, speech and language therapists and school nurses.
Note: Uses a Relay app to help with communication over the telephone if required. See website for details.
Milton Keynes Children with Complex Needs Service
Milton Keynes Community Health Services
Trust Headquarters, Hospital Campus, Eaglestone,
Milton Keynes, MK6 5NG
Tel: 01908 724511
Web: https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/services/community-services/milton-keynes-children-complex-needs-service
Email: cnw-tr.ComplexNeedsTeam@nhs.net
The service is available for children and young people who are registered with a Milton Keynes General Practitioner (GP)
To be eligible to access the service, individuals must be aged 18 and under, and meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Have a severe, unpredictable or complex medical condition
- A complex medical condition that indicates a very high use of healthcare service
- Have a life-limiting illness where it is expected not to reach adulthood
- Have a long-term or complex condition which makes them medically unstable and requiring frequent input from a health professional and/or regular hospital admissions for complex condition
- Have complex epilepsy
- Requiring medical supplies that cannot be provided by the GP
NHS Adult Hearing Service
Eaglestone Health Centre, Standing Way,
Milton Keynes, MK6 5AZ
Tel: 01908 725330
Web: milton-keynes-adult-hearing-service
Adults aged 16+ who require a routine assessment of their hearing can be referred by their GP or self-refer via the number above.
Open Monday – Friday at Eaglestone Health Centre accessed via appointment only.
If you are already known to the service call 01908 725330 to book an appointment.
If you have never been seen by the Adult Hearing Service, please complete the self-referral form available from the website.
Pain Management
Milton Keynes Hospital, Standing Way,
Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD
Tel: 01908 996 662 or 01908 996 663
Web: patient-information-leaflet/chronic-pain-service
There is a multi-disciplinary service consisting of Pain Consultants in Pain Management, Health Psychologists, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Chronic Pain, dedicated secretarial support and schedulers. Some or all of these different disciplines may be involved in your care. A questionnaire will be sent to you to complete and bring to your appointment. Please bring a list of your current medications.
Treatment can involve:
• Further Investigations and/or advice
• Medication including Injection Treatment
• Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Psychology
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
• Pain Management Programme
Helpful Advice
Getting to and from hospital appointments
Patient Transport Service – South Central Ambulance Service
Telephone: 0300 100 0024 (option 2)
Web: https://www.scas.nhs.uk/what-we-do/nepts/
If you need an NHS ambulance service transport to escort you to and from a hospital appointment, then the Patient Transport Service may be able to help you.
You may be eligible to use the Patient Transport Service if you are unable to use public or other transport due to your medical condition between hospital or other healthcare centres.
Booking is web-based:
https://managemybooking.scas.nhs.uk/patientzone/frmPatLogin.aspx
British Red Cross – Milton Keynes
Unit 3, Joplin Court, Crownhill,
Milton Keynes, MK8 0JP
Booking Line: 01296 739 300
Web: https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/get-support-at-home#north
Opening Times: Mon, Tues, Thurs 9am-4pm
The Red Cross provide transport to hospital appointments, dental checks, doctor’s appointments, etc. by use of volunteers who use their own cars.
The service is available for appointments in Milton Keynes, Oxford, Northampton, London, and further afield if needed. The driver will escort you to the appointment and wait for you if required.
Currently the cost is 65p a mile, which is invoiced monthly. To make a booking, please contact the booking line on the number above, and note that at least 48 hours’ notice must be given when making a booking for this service.
Reimbursement of travel costs (taxi, bus, parking, fuel costs)
If you do not have a medical need for the Patient Transport Service, you may still be able to claim costs for travelling to and from a hospital appointment.
Under the Department of Health’s Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) you, and possibly your escort, may be entitled to reimbursement of travel costs incurred.
You may be entitled to reimbursement if you receive any of the following benefits:
- Income related Employment Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Income based Job Seeker’s Allowance
- Universal credit (subject to criteria)
- Pension Credits
You can also claim for help with travel costs if:
- you’re named on, or entitled to, an NHS tax credit exemption certificate (if you do not have a certificate, you can show your award notice) – you qualify if you get child tax credits, working tax credits with a disability element (or both), and have income for tax credit purposes of £15,276 or less (correct May 2024)
- you have a low income and are named on certificate HC2 (full help) or HC3 (limited help) – you can apply for these certificates through the NHS Low Income Scheme
You may also be entitled to full or partial support if you do not claim any of the above benefits, but still have a low income, via the NHS Low Income Scheme.
If you have questions about help with health costs, contact the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) online or call 0300 330 1343. They will respond to your queries Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm and Saturday, 9am to 3pm.
If you have a low income, you may be able to get help with NHS costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS).
The scheme covers:
You can apply for the scheme as long as your savings, investments or property (not including where you live) do not exceed the capital limit.
In England, the limit is:
£23,250 for people who live permanently in a care home (from October 2025 the limit will rise to £100,000)
£16,000 for everyone else
Any help you’re entitled to is also available to your partner and any dependant young people. Depending on your circumstances, you can receive full help (HC2 certificate) or partial help (HC3 certificate).
You can apply online or by post.
To find out who can apply online, or to make an online application, go to the NHS Business Services Authority website:
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme
The form may also be available from your local Jobcentre Plus office or NHS hospital. A doctor, dentist or optician may also be able to give you one.
If you need help making your claim or have questions about the LIS, call 0300 330 1343. Telephone lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, and Saturday 9am to 3pm.
Certificates are usually valid for between 6 months and 5 years, depending on your circumstances.
You do not need to apply if you or your partner get:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- are named on, or entitled to, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate – if you do not have a certificate, you can show your award notice; you qualify if you get Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits with a disability element (or both) and have income for tax credit purposes of £15,276 or less
- get Universal Credit and meet the criteria
These benefits or tax credits already entitle you to full help with health costs.
Making use of your local pharmacy
Your local pharmacy can offer more in the way of community health services than you may think. Long gone are the days where pharmacies merely dispensed prescriptions; you can now access an extensive range of health services without having to see your doctor.
Medicine Usage Review Scheme
What is it?
A Medicine Usage Review (MUR) offers the chance for you to have a private consultation with a pharmacist to discuss your prescribed medication, over-the-counter medication you may take on a regular basis and their possible side effects. In addition, the pharmacist will review your dosage, the combination of medicines you take, and provide you with answers to the questions which you may not have asked the doctor.
How can I get one?
Ask at your local pharmacy or GP Practise.
Minor Ailments Scheme
You can now get medicines from your pharmacy for treating minor illnesses without the need for a prescription from the doctor.
Pharmacies can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines to effectively and safely manage a range of minor symptoms such as coughs, colds, sore throats, earaches, itchy eyes, tummy troubles, aches and pains and many more.
Pharmacy teams do not require an appointment and offer use of a confidential consultation room should it be required. If symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, pharmacists have the right clinical training to ensure people get the help they need immediately and can refer patients to a GP or A&E where necessary.
This means no more waiting for GP appointments. If you are exempt from prescription charges, there is no need to pay for any of the above treatments.
Disability and daily living aids
Some pharmacies have suppliers that sell specialist equipment and daily living aids for you to order on request.
If you wish to try out a daily living aid before ordering or purchasing, contact or pop into the Milton Keynes Centre for Integrated Living (MK CIL); they hold a wide range of adaptations and equipment for you to view in a non-sales environment.
Please see the Assistance with Daily Living section for more details.
Services for disabled customers
Since the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Equality Act 2010, primary healthcare providers, GP and dental surgeries, walk-in health centres, pharmacies, and out-of-hours services are all legally obligated to make their services and products accessible .
This includes removing all physical access barriers and making all consultation, treatment and waiting areas physically accessible, with hearing loops and wheelchair height desks. In addition, this will mean changes in the provision of services, for example appointment making by email, textphone or Typetalk, pharmacists dispensing medicines into containers that suit your needs, and the ability to book longer appointments with your doctor.
Pre-Payment Certificates (PPC)
If you are not eligible for help with health costs via the HC11form and are prescribed 3 or more items in 3 months or 13 items in 12 months, then you can save money by purchasing a PPC.
Current Cost:
- £32.05 for a 3-month Pre-payment certificate
- £114.50 for a 12-month Pre-payment certificate
- a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) PPC costs £19.80 and will save you money if you need more than 2 prescribed qualifying HRT items in a year
Costs as of May 2024
Check if you can get free prescriptions before you apply for a PPC:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions/check-if-you-can-get-free-prescriptions/.
The PPC will start from the day you submit your application, unless you ask for a different start date. The start date must be within 1 month before or after the date of your application.
You can also apply using the PPC order line on 0300 330 1341. Your PPC will be valid from the day you make the phone call, unless you request otherwise.
Some pharmacies may be able to sell you a 3-month PPC or the HRT PPC, which will be valid from the day you purchase it.
Repeat prescription and collection/delivery service
What is it?
Pharmacies who offer this service will pick up a repeat prescription from your GP surgery and dispense it ready for collection. Some pharmacies will also deliver it to your door if required. Pharmacies and doctors’ surgeries ask that you give at least 48 hours’ notice for this service.
How do I do it?
- Simply put in a request for a repeat prescription of the medicines you need with your GP surgery, and request that they give it to the representative from your chosen pharmacy.
- Next, telephone your local pharmacy and tell them when the repeat prescription will be ready at your surgery and the day you wish to have it delivered. Please note that delivery days and times may differ for each pharmacy.
- After your prescription has been dispensed by your pharmacist, you can either collect it or have it delivered to your home. Delivery is usually only available for older or disabled customers.
Please note that pharmacies will only pick up from doctors’ surgeries and deliver within a certain specified area. Phone your GP’s surgery or pharmacy for more details.