click on the links below to navigate...
calling 999
Use the nearest phone...
You don't need money or a phonecard, just lift the receiver
and dial
Don't worry, the call is free !!
When you dial 999, the first person you speak to is the
telephone company operator. Give him/her your phone number
or the number you are dialling from and ask for the service
you need. (Police, Ambulance or Fire Brigade). After a
dialling tone, you will be put through the an operator of
the service you asked for and run through a series of
additional questions.
Remember to speak clearly and don't panic
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norovirus (winter vomiting bug)
this bug is an extremely infectious stomach bug
belonging to a group of viruses called Norovirus. It is
dubbed the 'winter vomiting virus' because it is more
likely to cause illness during the winter months. The virus
produces a gastro-enteritis illness with some of the
symptoms being; Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and some
stomach cramping. Sometimes people additionally have a
low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a
general sense of tiredness.
It is extremely contagious and Noroviruses are found in
the stool or vomit of infected people. People can become
infected with the virus in several ways, including:
- eating food or drinking liquids that are
contaminated with Norovirus;
- touching surfaces or objects contaminated with
Norovirus, and then placing their hand in their
mouth;
- having direct contact with another person who is
infected and showing symptoms.
There is some good news in that the illness is short
lived and normally resolves over 24 to 48 hours.
There is no recognised treatment for the illness but if
you have caught the bug, you should drink lots of fluids to
keep you hydrated and wait for it to pass. visit the
NHS direct encyclopedia
for more information
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pandemic influenza - important information for you and
your family
Pandemic flu is a type of influenza that occurs every
few decades and which spreads rapidly to affect most
countries and regions around the world. The symptoms of
pandemic flu are similar to those of 'ordinary' flu but are
usually more severe.
For more information:
In the event of a flu pandemic there will be
announcements on the television, radio and in the
newspapers.
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avian influenza (bird flu)
Avian influenza is a disease of birds caused by
influenza viruses closely related to human influenza
viruses. Transmission to humans in close contact with
poultry or other birds occurs rarely and only with some
strains of avian influenza. As with all avian influenza
issues, the advice is changing depending on new identified
risk and advice.
For the latest information, you should visit the
DEFRA website or ring the advice line on
08459-335577
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'Preparing for Emergencies' brochure:
The 'Preparing for Emergencies' website has
up-to-the-minute information on many items of national
interest.
Copies of the 'Preparing for Emergencies' booklet are
available, in several languages, on the
Internet , or on request to the following
address:
Preparing for Emergencies
Freepost CN2223
Croydon
CR9 4WZ
Alternatively you can call 0800 887777, or textphone 08000
859859.
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flooding:
Key messages regarding flooding:
• Listen to the local and national radio for travel
information
• Tell someone at your destination what time you expect to
arrive
• Remember that in wet weather stopping distances are at
least double those required for stopping on dry roads
• Keep well back from the vehicle in front, so you have the
time and distance to break safely
• If steering becomes unresponsive it probably means the
water is preventing the tyres from gripping the road, ease
off the accelerator and slow down gradually
• Remember the rain and spray from vehicles makes it
difficult to see and be seen, so adjust your speed and
drive more slowly and use your headlights
• Do not enter floodwater as there is no way of telling how
deep it may be. This applies if you are on foot as well as
in a vehicle - manhole covers may have been loosened or
removed so there could be extremely dangerous hidden
hazards in floodwater.
• Please respect road closure signs - they are there for
your safety and mean the road is impassable.
• Avoid any non essential journeys
The Environment Agency publish a wide-range of
information relating to flooding on their national website
including current flood warnings in force, managing flood
risk, flooding reports and an interactive flood risk
map.
Area Flood Warning Office
Environment Agency, Wales Rivers House, St Mellons Business
Park, St Mellons, Cardiff, CF3 0EY
Telephone: 08708 506506
Floodline: 0845 9881188
Website Flooding Section
You can also visit the Herefordshire Council website
which has a section on
Flooding
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Herefordshire Council guide to emergency planning:
Herefordshire Council have produced a
downloadable guide to emergency planning which gives you
lots of useful information. There is also a wide-range
of information on the
'Planning for emergencies'
section of the Herefordshire Council
website.
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accidents and emergencies:
For severe injuries either dial 999 for an ambulance or
go to Accident and Emergency Departments at:
Hereford County Hospital
Union Walk, Hereford, HR1 2ER
Telephone: 01432 355 444
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Great Western Road, Gloucester, GL1 3NN
Telephone: 08454 222222
Worcestershire Royal Hospital General A and E service
available.
Charles Hastings Way, Worcester, WR5 1DD
Telephone: 01905 763 333
Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service
Bransford, Worcester WR6 5JD
Telephone: 01886 834200
Worcestershire NHS Website
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minor injuries:
If in doubt phone NHS Direct: 0845 4647 (24 hours
confidential helpline). They can advise you whether you
should seek emergency treatment or visit your GP or
self-treatment at home. You can also visit the
NHS Direct Website
Search for your nearest Doctors, Dentists, Opticians,
Pharmacies, Hospitals and Walk-In-Centres using the
NHS Website
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heatwaves
The latest version of the Department of Health Heatwave
Plan has recently been produced.This Department of Health
website includes advice and guidance for alerting people
once a heatwave has been forecast, and advising them what
to do during a heatwave.
For the latest information, you should visit the
Department of Health Website
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fireworks
be safe and follow the fireworks code
- When buying fireworks, make sure they comply with
BS 7114 and are clearly marked for their intended use
"Indoor, Garden or Display"
- Keep fireworks in a sealed box or tin
- Use them one at a time, replacing the lid
immediately
- NEVER put fireworks in your pocket
- Read the instructions carefully, using a torch or
hand lamp NEVER use a naked flame
- Light fireworks at arms length using a taper or a
firework lighter
- Stand well back and NEVER return to a firework
after it has been lit, it could explode in your
face
- Ensure that all children with fireworks are well
supervised
- NEVER throw fireworks
- Keep all pets and animals indoors
- Take care of sparklers, wear gloves to hold them
and dispose of sparklers in a bucket of water as soon
as they are finished
visit the DTI firework safety site
for more information
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childline
ChildLine is the free and confidential 24-hour helpline
for children and young people in the UK.
Telephone: 0800 1111
Childline Website
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citizens advice bureau
The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their
legal, money and other problems by providing free,
independent and confidential advice, and by influencing
policymakers.
Address: 20, Gloucester Road, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire,
HR9 5LQ
Telephone: 0870 1264091
Citizens Advice Bureau Website
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NSPCC
The UK's leading charity specialising in child
protection and the prevention of cruelty to children.
Child protection helpline - 0800 800500
NSPCC Website
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RSPCA animal protection
Charity working for animals through legislation. It
investigates complaints of cruelty and re-homes animals
through local branches.
Telephone for general enquiries (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm): 0300
1234 555
24 hour national cruelty and advice line: 0300 1234
999
RSPCA Website
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Samaritans
Samaritans offer confidential support to anyone passing
through a crisis or thinking of taking their own
lives.
Local Telephone: 01432 269000
National Telephone: 08457 909090
Samaritans Website
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train information
UK rail travel including train company information,
promotions and train times
National Rail Enquiry 24-hour Telephone: 08457 484950
National Rail Website
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Age Concern
Promotes the well being of older people. Contains
factsheets on subjects from health to housing, statistics
and reading lists.
National Freephone number 0800 009966
Age Concern Website
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DrinkLine
Drinkline offers the following services:
- Information and self-help materials.
- Help to callers worried about their own
drinking.
- Support to the family and friends of people who are
drinking.
- Advice to callers on where to go for help.
Telephone: 0800 9178282
9.00am - 11.00pm, Monday to Friday
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Gas Emergency Service
If you smell gas
- DON'T smoke
- DON'T use naked flames
- DON'T turn electric switches on or off
- DO turn off the gas supply at the meter
- DO open doors and windows
- DO call the Gas Emergency Service free on 0800
111999
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water companies
Welsh Water
- Account queries: 0800 0520145
- Emergency/Water Supply: 0800 0520130
- Water Meter Enquiries: 0800 0520140
- Leakline: 0800 281432
- Welsh Water Website
Severn Trent Water
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electricity emergencies
-
Central Networks (East Midlands)
-
Central Networks (West Midlands)
-
Central Networks (Midlands)
-
EDF Energy Networks (EPN - Eastern) plc
-
EDF Energy Networks (LPN - London) plc
-
EDF Energy Networks (SPN - Seeboard) plc
-
Northern Electric Distribution Ltd
-
United Utilities Electricity plc
-
Scottish & Southern Energy plc (North of
Scotland)
-
Scottish & Southern Energy plc (South of
England)
-
Scottish Power Distribution Ltd
-
Scottish Power Manweb plc
-
Western Power Distribution (South Wales) plc
-
Western Power Distribution (South West) plc
-
Yorkshire Electricity Distribution Ltd
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local radio stations:
Listen to local radio stations for up-to-the-minute
advice and guidance:
-
BBC Hereford and Worcester
- Frequencies: 94.7/104/104.6 FM
- Contact: (01905) 748485
-
Radio Wyvern
- Frequencies: 96.7/97.6/102.8 FM
- Contact: (01905) 746644
-
The Bear
- Frequencies: 102 FM
- Contact: (01789) 262636
-
BRMB
- Frequencies: 94.6 FM
- Contact: (0121) 245 5000
-
Heart FM
- Frequencies: 100.7 FM
- Contact: (0121) 607 7227
-
Radio WM
- Frequencies: 95.6 FM
- Contact: (0121) 432 9000
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Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service
There are 27 fire stations run by the Hereford and
Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.
Visit the
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue
Service website for more information on the
services available and what to do in an emergency
Hereford fire station is located at: St Owen Street,
Hereford, HR1 2JW
and for general enquiries please contact the:
Fire and Rescue Headquarters
2 Kings Court
Charles Hastings Way
Worcester
WR5 1JR
Tel: 0845 12 24454
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