Why request support?

• It's completely free. If you are affected by GBS, CIDP or a related condition (patient, relative, friend, carer etc), you will be registered as a 'friend' of the Charity and our support services will cost you nothing.
• We send you printed versions of our information upon request.
• A local volunteer will get in touch at your request and may organise a hospital visit.
• We have specialist volunteers who can contact you concerning unusual conditions/circumstances.
• We may be able to offer additional assistance through our Welfare Fund.
• You will receive at least one free copy of our yearly journal Reaching Out.
• You will be mailed our newsletters three times a year for as long as you remain registered as a 'friend'.
• You will be notified of meetings and conferences where you will have the opportunity to meet others.

How do I register for support?

• If you live in the UK or Ireland, complete this on-line form, or
• If you live in the UK, call our free helpline on 0800 374 803, or
• If you live in the Republic of Ireland, call our free helpline on 1800 806152.

Our Helpline volunteers should be able to address your immediate concerns and answer your questions.

Why is support restricted to the UK and Ireland?

• Because we are restricted by the Charity's Constitution which states the limit of our charitable activity.

What can I do if I do not live in the UK or Ireland?

• Try this link to see if there is a support group in your country.
• You are most welcome to use this Web site, download our information and make use of our Forum and facebook pages.
• You are also most welcome to become a member of the Charity. As a member, you will receive our yearly journal, you will receive our newsletters, you will be notified of our annual conference. During the conference, we hold our Annual General Meeting at which members have the right to vote.

What is the Welfare Fund? (UK-Ireland Only)

• The GBSSG Welfare Fund (formerly the Support Fund) was created to help pay the travelling expenses for those visiting their loved ones in hospital. Since then, the Charity has considered and made grants for other reasons of hardship that can occur at this most critical of times.
• If you register with us using the form below or through our Helpline, we can send you details of the Welfare Fund and how you should apply.

Internet Registration Form Please supply as much information as you can without breaking patient confidentiality. The appropriate literature will be posted to you. Information booklets will only be posted to addresses in the UK, the Republic of Ireland and British Forces (BFPO). Required fields are in red*                    *Your E-mail: *Your name: *Your address: (UK and Republic of Ireland addresses only) (literature will be posted to this address unless otherwise specified) Rest of the world *Your post code: If you live in the Republic of Ireland, enter 'RoI'. *Your country: Please select BFPO (British Forces) Channel Islands England Isle of Man Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland Scotland Wales *Your telephone number: If you are the patient, check here: If you are not the patient   Give patient's name: Patient's home address (if different to above): Patient's post code: The following four fields are required for reasons of satistical analysis. Personal details will remain confidential. *Patient's date of birth: If not known, give approximate year of birth *Hospital status: Not admitted In-patient Out-patient Discharged *If patient is in hospital, which one? (Hospital/town): If patient has been discharged, please enter the principal hospital where treatment was given. If patient was not admitted, please enter 'not admitted'. *Date entered hospital: If not applicable, please enter 'not applicable'. Ward/unit: Ventilator status: Not applicable Presently on ventilator Was on ventilator Ventilator not needed Still too early to tell Patient's relationship to you: Diagnosis: Guillain-Barré syndrome CIDP Miller Fisher syndrome Other variant (state below) Unsure Not applicable We have a Welfare Fund that may be able to offer financial assistance at difficult times. For example we can meet expences so you can visit a patient who is a long way from home in hospital. If you would like to receive details of the Welfare Fund, please check this box. Please send details of Welfare Fund If you would you like our local representative in your area to contact you, please check this box. (He or she may be able to visit the patient in hospital) Please inform local representative Other information: How did you get to hear about the Support Group: - - Search Engine Link from Other Web Site Health Professional Poster Quick Guide left in Hospital Word of Mouth - Friend/Family Newspaper/Magazine Radio/TV Other Any additional information on how you found out about us or a comment about the difficulty you had in finding us would be welcome so we might provide a better service. Send this form to: GBSSG Administration GBSSG Webmaster (for testing only) *Please enter the five figure verification code: If this form continuously fails to send, please register using our helpline.