Health Matters
ALANON
| Phone: | (02) 9279 3600 |
| Freecall: | Not available |
| Fax: | Not available |
| TTY: | Not available |
| Address: | GPO Box 3082 SYDNEY NSW 2001 |
| Website: | www.alanon.alateen.org.au |
| Email: | agso@alphalink.com.au |
Description:
Alanon helps families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with the problem drinking of someone who is close to them.
Alcoholics Anonymous
| Phone: | (02) 9599 8866 |
| Freecall: | Not available |
| Fax: | (02) 9599 8844 |
| TTY: | Not available |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.aa.org.au |
| Email: | national.office@aa.org.au |
Description:
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men & women who share their experience, strength & hope that they may solve their common problem & help others to recover from alcoholism.The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Membership is free.
Arthritis Foundation of NSW
| Phone: | (02) 9683 1622 |
| Freecall: | 1800 011 041 |
| Fax: | (02) 9683 1633 |
| TTY: | Not available |
| Address: | Locked Bag 16 Post Office NORTH PARRAMATTA NSW 2151 |
| Website: | www.arthritisnsw.org.au |
| Email: | info@arthritisnsw.org.au |
Description:
Arthritis NSW is a registered charity that provides education & services to people with arthritis in NSW, to improve their quality of life. It has 7000 members & 50 branches/support groups, & represents both people with arthritis & the health professionals involved with treating them.
Assocation of Friends and Relatives of the Mentally Ill
| Phone: | (02) 9805 1833 |
| Freecall: | 1800 655 198 |
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| Address: | |
| Website: | www.arafmi.nsw.org.au |
| Email: |
Description:
Audio Clinic
| Phone: | 1800 057 220 |
| Freecall: | |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.audioclinic.com.au |
| Email: | info@audioclinic.com.au |
Description:
AudioClinic is accredited to provide free services for Pensioners and Veterans under the Australian Government's Hearing Services Program. Nearly 20 clinics are based in city and country locations across NSW. Visit the website fto find your nearest clinic or for more information..
Australian Caption Centre
| Phone: | (02) 9212 5277 |
| Freecall: | 1800 777 801 |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.auscap.com.au |
| Email: |
Description:
The Australian Caption Centre providea captioning services for the major television networks Nine Network, Network Ten and SBS; major advertisers and their agencies; video and DVD distributors; subscription television channels; and for conferences in Australia and overseas.
Australian Hearing Centres (Australian Govt)
| Phone: | 131 979 |
| Freecall: | |
| Fax: | (02) 9413 3855 |
| TTY: | (02) 9412 68(02) |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.hearing.com.au |
| Email: |
Description:
Australian Hearing is an Australian Government agency which helps people manage their hearing impairment. With approximately 80 centres across NSW it provides a full range of hearing services for young people, eligible adults, aged pensioners, and most war veterans.
Australian Kidney Foundation
| Phone: | (02) 9299 4599 |
| Freecall: | 1800 682 531 |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.kidney.org,au |
| Email: |
Description:
Better Hearing
| Phone: | (02) 9744 0167 |
| Freecall: | Not available |
| Fax: | (02) 9744 7492 |
| TTY: | (02) 9744-0124 |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.betterhearing.org.au |
| Email: | bhasyd@ozemail.com.au |
Description:
Better Hearing Australia is a self-help organisation for people who are hearing impaired. It aims to help prevent hearing loss & improve communication between hearing impaired people & their families/ friends. NSW centres are in Concord, Gosford, Newcastle & Wagga.
Blind Citizens Australia
| Phone: | (03) 9372 6400 |
| Freecall: | 1800 033 660 |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.bca.org.au |
| Email: |
Description:
Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) is the national association of blind & vision impaired Australians. Members work together to achieve equity & equality for ourselves. The organisation offers information, peer support, photo ID cards, representation to Government & individual advocacy.
Cancer Council of NSW
| Phone: | 13 11 20 |
| Freecall: | |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.cancercouncil.org.au |
| Email: |
Description:
Commonwealth Carers Resource Centre
| Phone: | |
| Freecall: | 1800 242 636 |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.carersnsw.asn.au |
| Email: | contact@carersnsw.asn.au |
Description:
Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres provide a single point of contact for carers seeking information and advice about the full range of services, and other support available.
Community Health Centres
| Phone: | |
| Freecall: | |
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| Address: | |
| Website: | |
| Email: |
Description:
Community Health Centres are based in local communities & employ a range of staff who can provide you with advice & assistance. Phone the Seniors Information Service on 13 12 44 for details of your local centre.
Continence Foundation of Australia (NSW)
| Phone: | 1800 330 066 |
| Freecall: | |
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| Address: | |
| Website: | |
| Email: |
Description:
Deafness Resources Australia
| Phone: | 1800 555 201 |
| Freecall: | |
| Fax: | (02) 9895-2972 |
| TTY: | 1800 555 203 |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.deafnessresources.net.au |
| Email: |
Description:
Deafness Resources Australia is the trading division of Australian Communication Exchange Limited & has a comprehensive range of deafness/hearing impairment related books & technical aids (eg TTYs, alarm clocks & telephone amplifiers).
Dentacare
| Phone: | (03) 9654 6355 |
| Freecall: | 1800 810 217 |
| Fax: | |
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| Address: | |
| Website: | |
| Email: |
Description:
Diabetes Australia (NSW)
| Phone: | (02) 9552 9900 |
| Freecall: | 1300 136 588 |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.diabetesnsw.com.au |
| Email: |
Description:
Gamblers Anonymous
| Phone: | (02) 9628 5065 |
| Freecall: | 1800 633 635 |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.gamblersanonymous.org.au |
| Email: |
Description:
Glaucoma Australia
| Phone: | 1800 500 880 |
| Freecall: | |
| Fax: | (02) 9439 8736 |
| TTY: | Not available |
| Address: | PO Box 420 CROWS NEST NSW 1585 |
| Website: | www.glaucoma.org.au |
| Email: | glaucoma@glaucoma.org.au |
Description:
Glaucoma Australia’s mission is to minimise visual disability from glaucoma. It works to increase community awareness & understanding of glaucoma, support people with glaucoma & their families and also funds glaucoma research.
Glaucoma Australia
| Phone: | (02) 9906 6640 |
| Freecall: | 1300 847 466 |
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| Address: | |
| Website: | |
| Email: |
Description:
GROW NSW (Depression, Anxiety)
| Phone: | (02) 9219 2444 |
| Freecall: | 1800 032 120 |
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| Address: | |
| Website: | |
| Email: |
Description:
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
| Phone: | (02) 9412 9300 |
| Freecall: | Not available |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | PO Box 1965 NTH SYDNEY NSW 2059 |
| Website: | www.guidedogs.com.au |
| Email: | Visit website to lodge an email |
Description:
Guide DogsNSW/ACT assists people to learn safe ways of getting about. Most people don't need a Guide Dog, & the organisation offers other types of training (eg. crossing roads safely). Instructors visit your home or wherever required. For details of the 9 offices around NSW/ACT phone the Sydney number or visit their website.
Health Care Complaints Commission (NSW Govt)
| Phone: | (02) 9219 7444 |
| Freecall: | 1800 043 159 |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | LMB18 STRAWBERRY HILLS NSW 2012 |
| Website: | www.hccc.nsw.gov.au |
| Email: | hccc@hccc.nsw.gov.au |
Description:
The Health Care Complaints Commission investigates complaints about public or private health providers, and takes appropriate action. Complaints must be submitted in writing. Contact the Commission for advice about how to place a complaint.
Health Promotion Service
| Phone: | (02) 9281 3588 |
| Freecall: | |
| Fax: | (02) 921 8700 |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | Level 9, Foveaux Street SURRY HILLS NSW 2010 |
| Website: | www.cpsa.org.au |
| Email: | health@cpsa.org.au |
Description:
The service, provided by the Combined Pensioners and Supperanuants Association of NSW (CPSA)) provides free health education sessions to groups of older people in different community languages across NSW
Hearing Life
| Phone: | 1300 134 097 |
| Freecall: | |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | Not available |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.hearinglife.com.au |
| Email: |
Description:
Hearing Life is accredited to provide free Hearing Services to clients who are eligible for the Australian Government’s Hearing Services Program. It has over 45 centres in suburbs and towns across NSW. Visit its website for more information, or to find your nearest centre.
Hospital at Home
| Phone: | 1300 303 604 |
| Freecall: | |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.hospitalathome.com.au |
| Email: |
Description:
Leases and/or sells equipment (eg shower chairs, walking frames, lifting aids) to assist older people to remain at home. Phone for costs and delivery details. Six outlets across NSW.
Isolated Patients' Travel and Assistance Program - IPTAAS (NSW Govt)
| Phone: | |
| Freecall: | |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.health.nsw.gov.au/living/transport |
| Email: |
Description:
This initiative offers assistance with transport and/or accommodation to people who need to travel long disances for essential health care. Phone Seniors Information Service on 13 12 44 for an application form.
Lifestyle and Rehabilitation
| Phone: | (02) 9687 1699 |
| Freecall: | 1300 133 120 |
| Fax: | (02) 9687 2477 |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | 162 Great Western Highway WESTMEAD NSW 2145 |
| Website: | www.lr.com.au |
| Email: | westmead@lr.com.au |
Description:
Leases and/or sells equipment (eg shower chairs, walking frames, lifting aids) to assist older people to remain at home. Phone for costs and delivery details. Three outlets across NSW.
Low Vision Clinic (University of NSW)
| Phone: | (02) 9385 4624 |
| Freecall: | Not available |
| Fax: | (02) 9313 8604 |
| TTY: | Not available |
| Address: | Barker St (entry via Gate 14) Rupert Myers Building (North Wing), University of New South Wales KENSINGTON NSW |
| Website: | www.optom.unsw.edu.au/clinic |
| Email: | optomclinic@unsw.edu.au |
Description:
Optometry & Vision Science (University of NSW) holds a public Optometry Clinic. Because the clinic is also a teaching facility it has state-of-the-art instruments to assist with patient care. Optical appliances, contact lens solutions, low vision aids & eye protectors are also for sale.
Macular Degeneration Foundation
| Phone: | (02) 9261 8900 |
| Freecall: | 1800 111 709 |
| Fax: | (02) 9261 8912 |
| TTY: | Not available |
| Address: | Suite 302 447 Kent Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 |
| Website: | www.mdfoundation.com.au |
| Email: | info@mdffoundation.com.au |
Description:
The Macular Degeneration (MD) Foundation aims to reduce the incidence & impact of MD in Australia. Programs are directed towards education, awareness, early detection & treatments, support services & advocacy.
Medicare Plus (Enhanced Primary Care)
| Phone: | (02) 6289 8067 |
| Freecall: | Not available |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | Medicare Benefits Branch, Dept of Health and Ageing GPO Box 9848 CANBERRA ACT 2601 |
| Website: | www.health.gov.au |
| Email: | epc.items@health.gov.au |
Description:
Provides additional health care subsidies to people aged over 75 (55 if you are Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander) or you have a chronic condition or complex care needs. Speak to your local doctor for more information.
Motor Neurone Disease Assoc. NSW
| Phone: | (02) 8877 0999 |
| Freecall: | 1800 649 144 |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.mndnsw.asn.au |
| Email: |
Description:
Multiple Sclerosis Society NSW
| Phone: | (02) 9646 0600 |
| Freecall: | 1800 042 138 |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.msnsw.org.au |
| Email: |
Description:
National Heart Foundation (NSW)
| Phone: | (02) 9219 2444 |
| Freecall: | 1300 362 787 |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.heartfoundation.com.au |
| Email: |
Description:
North Shore Hospital
| Phone: | (02) 9926 7111 |
| Freecall: | Not available |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | Not available |
| Address: | Pacific Hwy ST LEONARDS NSW 2065 |
| Website: | |
| Email: | Not available |
Description:
A major research and teaching hospital in the area of eye care, Royal North Shore Hospital offers treatment for a wide range of eye conditions. Contact the hospital for more information.
NSW Seniors Peer Education Centre
| Phone: | (02) 9286 3868 |
| Freecall: | |
| Fax: | (02) 9286 3872 |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | Level 4, Pitt Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 |
| Website: | www.cotasa.org.au/aspx/nsw_spec.aspx |
| Email: | nsw@spec.net.au |
Description:
The NSW Seniors Peer Education Centre (SPEC) is auspiced by COTA Seniors Voice to provide informative and interactive sessions to groups in NSW on a variety of health and wellbeing issues affecting people over 50. NSW SPEC has Peer Educators trained in a variety of topics including Beyond Maturity Blues, quality use of medicines, and falls prevention. Contact them to book a session for your clubs, organisations or group
NSW Spectacle Program
| Phone: | (02) 9344 4122 |
| Freecall: | 1800 806 851 |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | Not available |
| Address: | 4 Mitchell St ENFIELD NSW 2136 |
| Website: | www.visionaustralia.org.au |
| Email: | info@visionaustralia.org.au |
Description:
VisionCare administers the means-tested NSW Spectacle program, which assists in the delivery of low-cost vision-care to people who are eligible. Appliances includes single-vision & bifocal spectacles, contact lenses and low-vision aids.
Office of Hearing Services (Australian Govt)
| Phone: | 1800 500 726 |
| Freecall: | |
| Fax: | (02) 6289 5443 |
| TTY: | 1800 500 496 |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.health.gov.au/hearing services |
| Email: | Not available |
Description:
The Office of Hearing Services manages a voucher system that allows eligible pensioners to choose where to get their hearing assessed & arrange for a hearing aid, from (approx) 30 approved hearing aid providers across NSW. Call the Office for more details or visit the website to find a company that accepts vouchers.
Osteoporosis Society (NSW)
| Phone: | (02) 9683 1622 |
| Freecall: | 1800 242 141 |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.osteoporosis.org.au |
| Email: |
Description:
Palliative Care NSW
| Phone: | (02) 9282 6436 |
| Freecall: | Not available |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.palliativecarensw.org.au |
| Email: |
Description:
Parkinson's NSW
| Phone: | 1800 644 189 |
| Freecall: | |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.parkinsonsnsw.org.au |
| Email: |
Description:
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme - PBS (Australian Govt)
| Phone: | 1800 020 613 |
| Freecall: | |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.health.gov.au |
| Email: |
Description:
The PBS provides nominated pensioners with concessions for some medications. There is also a "safety net" which offers free medication for pensioners who have paid for more than 54 prescriptions in a year.
Podiatry Association
| Phone: | (02) 9698 3751 |
| Freecall: | Not available |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.podiatry.asn.au |
| Email: |
Description:
Poison Information Centre
| Phone: | 13 11 26 |
| Freecall: | |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | |
| Email: |
Description:
Prince of Wales Hospital
| Phone: | (02) 9382 2222 |
| Freecall: | Not available |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | Not available |
| Address: | Dept of Opthalmology & Visual Sciences Barker St RANDWICK NSW 2031 |
| Website: | |
| Email: | Not available |
Description:
A major research and teaching hospital in the area of eye care, Prince of Wales Hospital offers treatment for a wide range of eye conditions. Contact the hospital for more information.
Program of Appliances for Disabled People (PADP)
| Phone: | |
| Freecall: | |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | |
| Email: |
Description:
PADP is run by NSW Health. It provides aids & appliances for daily living, to help people with a permanent or long term disability to stay living at home. Phone the Seniors Information Service on 13 12 44 for more information & the details of your local PADP Lodgement centre.
Quitline
| Phone: | 131 848 |
| Freecall: | |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | |
| Email: |
Description:
Relpar
| Phone: | (02) 9890 0940 |
| Freecall: | 1300 885 886 |
| Fax: | (02) 9890 0966 |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | 1 Fennell St PARRAMATTA NSW 2150 |
| Website: | http://www.ilcnsw.asn.au/ |
| Email: | help@ilcnsw.asn.au |
Description:
Displays and demonstrates equipment (eg shower chairs, walking frames, lifting aids) to assist older people to remain at home. Does not sell equipment but refers clients to suitable suppliers.
Royal Blind Society
| Phone: | |
| Freecall: | |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | |
| Email: |
Description:
Now called Vision Australia.
Self Help For Hard of Hearing People
| Phone: | (02) 9144 7586 |
| Freecall: | Not available |
| Fax: | (02) 9144 3936 |
| TTY: | Not available |
| Address: | 1334 Pacific Highway TURRAMURRA NSW 2074 |
| Website: | www.shhhaust.org |
| Email: | shhh@netspace.net.au |
Description:
SHHH Australia Inc. is a voluntary organisation which assists people with a hearing loss whose primary method of communicating is through speech. We give information & advice to hearing impaired people & their families, & promote community understanding about hearing loss.
Sleep Disorders Australia
| Phone: | (02) 9990 3514 |
| Freecall: | Not available |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | |
| Email: |
Description:
Stroke Recovery Association
| Phone: | (02) 9550 0594 |
| Freecall: | 1300 650 596 |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | |
| Email: |
Description:
Sydney Eye Hospital
| Phone: | (02) 9382 7111 |
| Freecall: | Not available |
| Fax: | (02) 9382 7320 |
| TTY: | Not available |
| Address: | 8 Macquarie St SYDNEY NSW |
| Website: | www.sesahs.nsw.gov.au/sydhosp/ |
| Email: | Not available |
Description:
Sydney Eye Hospital - part of Sydney Hospital - offers a range of diagnostic & treatment options for people with poor eyesight. It also runs an emergency service for people who have injured their eyes in some way. Contact the hospital for more information.
Technical Aids for the Disabled (TAD)
| Phone: | (02) 9808 2022 |
| Freecall: | 1300 885 886 |
| Fax: | (02) 9809 7670 |
| TTY: | Not available |
| Address: | PO Box 108 RYDE NSW 1680 |
| Website: | www.tadnsw.org.au/index.html |
| Email: | tad@tadnsw.org.au |
Description:
TAD is an organisation which designs and/or modifies aids and appliances to enable people with a disability and older people to live independently. It relies extensively on volunteers to provide this service.
The Aged Care Rights Service (TARS)
| Phone: | (02) 9281 3600 |
| Freecall: | 1800 424 079 |
| Fax: | (02) 9281 3672 |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | Level 4 418A Elizabeth St SURRY HILLS NSW 2010 |
| Website: | http://www.tars.com.au/ |
| Email: | Visit website to send an email. |
Description:
TARS is a NSW community legal centre that advocates for residents of hostels, nursing homes & retirement villages, & for older people with in-home care. It gives information on the cost of entering an aged care facility & advice on retirement village contracts. Advice is confidential.
The Watercomfort Company
| Phone: | 1800 813 254 |
| Freecall: | |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | |
| Website: | www.watercomfort.com.au |
| Email: | sales@watercomfort.com.au |
Description:
Leases and/or sells equipment (eg shower chairs, walking frames, lifting aids) to assist older people to remain at home. Phone for costs and delivery details. Outlets across Australia.
Vision Australia
| Phone: | |
| Freecall: | 1300 847 466 |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | Mitchell St ENFIELD NSW 2136 |
| Website: | www.visionaustralia.org.au |
| Email: |
Description:
.
Vision Australia
| Phone: | 1800 847 466 |
| Freecall: | 1300 847 466 |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | |
| Address: | 4 Mitchell St ENFIELD NSW 2136 |
| Website: | www.visionaustralia.org.au |
| Email: | visioninfo@visionaustralia.org.au |
Description:
Vision Australia is the largest provider of blindness & low vision services in Australia, enabling clients to pursue their choices and lifestyle. As well as the Sydney-based office there are more than 10 offices in regional centres. Ring for more information.
Vision Information Line
| Phone: | 1800 847 466 |
| Freecall: | |
| Fax: | |
| TTY: | Not available |
| Address: | 4 Mitchell St ENFIELD NSW 2136 |
| Website: | www.visionaustralia.org.au/info |
| Email: | visioninfo@visionaustralia.org.au |
Description:
This free, national answers questions about vision impairment & blindness. It offers information about services, pensions & concessions, recreation options & eye care. The website includes useful brochures. Information can be provided in alternative formats.
