Support for Anaesthetic Awareness

On this page, you will find details of support for anaesthetic awareness other than legal help. To access our legal advice page click here. If you cannot find what you are looking for on this page, please feel free to ask our friendly team for some help in getting you to the right place for support.

This page is divided into 4 sections:

1. Things to do/consider
2. Online support for anaesthetic awareness
3. Counselling and emotional support
4. Other places to go for financial advice and support for anaesthetic awareness

THINGS TO DO/CONSIDER:

• Write a diary entry detailing your recollection in as much detail as possible
• When did you tell the staff at the hospital about your awareness?
• What was their response?
• Did a doctor come see you afterwards to explain what happened?
• Did they refer you for counselling?
• Have you spoken to your GP and what support have they provided?
• What support have you had from family/friends?

ONLINE SUPPORT FOR ANAESTHETIC AWARENESS:

There is an online support group for patients who have experienced anaesthetic awareness.

The Royal College of Anaesthetists

The College has put together an Anaesthesia Awareness Support Pack. This and other information can be found on the following site:
http://www.nationalauditprojects.org.uk/NAP5-Anaesthetia-Awareness-Pathway
The support pack talks you through what you can expect following an incident of awareness during surgery for which you had anaesthetic awareness.

COUNSELLING AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT:

Anaesthetic awareness can lead to anxiety, fear of requiring anaesthesia in the future and sleep disturbances. It is not uncommon for patients to be suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. You should speak to your GP about your symptoms and see if they can refer you for counselling. Alternatively, you can contact the following:

British Association for Counselling

Telephone number 0870 443 5252.
Website: www.bacp.co.uk
Dedicated to the promotion of counselling and maintenance of standards and training and practice, providing information on training and lists of local counsellors on receipt of a S.A.E.

The Samaritans

HELPLINE:
• 116 123 (UK)
• 116 123 (ROI)
They are there around the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This number is FREE to call. You don’t have to be suicidal to call them
OR EMAIL: jo@samaritans.org
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/

FOR FINANCIAL ADVICE:

The Money Advice Service

For advice on benefits entitlement and financial matters, we recommend you seek further information via your local authority website for local support services or at The Money Advice Service:

https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/benefits/problems-with-benefits/where-to-get-help-and-advice-about-benefits

Age UK benefits advice for older people

Age UK is for those over State Pension age and living in the area covered by the local branch. Some local branches of Age UK offer a free, confidential benefits advice service. Practical assistance to make sure you’re getting all the benefits to which you are entitled. They can provide advice by telephone, face-to-face, and home visits and help with completing forms.
Telephone the Age UK Helpline: 0800 169 6565 (8am-7pm, 365 days a year)
Website: Age UK website

Gingerbread Single Parent Helpline

Gingerbread provides advice and practical support for single parents, including advice on benefits and tax credits.
You can call free on 0808 802 0925 (Monday: 10am to 6pm, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10am to 4pm, Wednesday: 10am-1pm and 5pm-7pm)

Debt advice

If you’re worried about keeping up with debt repayments, there is lots of free, confidential help and advice available. Find out more by following the link below:
Where to go to get free debt advice

Housing advice

If you have rent or mortgage arrears or you’re worried about losing your home, Shelter offers confidential advice on a range of housing issues. Visit the Shelter England website
• Visit the Shelter Scotland website
• Visit the Shelter Cymru website
• Visit the Shelter Northern Ireland website