Page 99 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

GREA T BRIT AIN  97

Emergency Services Facilities for the Disabled bureaux de change, which
In an emergency, dial 999 The facilities on offer for disabled are located in tourist areas
to reach police, fire, and visitors to Britain are improving: and operate longer hours
ambulance services, which are new buildings offer elevators than banks. Exchange rates
on call 24 hours a day. Calls are and ramps for wheelchair access, and commission charges
free. In coastal areas, this and adapted toilets. Many banks, can vary.
number also applies for calls to theaters, and museums provide Although credit cards are
the voluntary coastguard-rescue aids for the visually or hearing widely accepted in Britain,
service. You can also turn up at impaired. Given advance notice, smaller stores, guesthouses,
a hospital emergency room at rail, ferry, and bus personnel will and cafés may not have the
any time. Emergency medical help dis abled passengers. The facilities for card transactions.
treatment in a British National Disabled Person’s Railcard Britain uses the “chip and PIN”
Health Service (NHS) emergency provides discounted rail fares. system instead of a signature
room is free, but any kind of Most car rental firms offer hand- on a credit slip. You will need
additional medical care could controled vehicles for rental at a four-digit PIN, so ask your
prove to be very expensive if no extra cost. For more bank for one before you leave.
you don’t have insurance or information, contact Disability
your country does not have Rights UK, DisabledGo, Communications
a reciprocal agreement. Mobility International,
or Tourism For All. Public telephone booths are
available throughout Britain and
Health Issues may be card- or coin-operated.
Banking and Currency
You can buy a wide range of In major towns, some booths
medicines from pharmacies, Britain’s currency is the pound are able to accept credit cards
which in Britain are known as sterling (£), which is divided and offer Internet access. It is
chemists. Boots is the best- into 100 pence (p). Scottish cheaper to telephone in the
known chain store. If you are banknotes are also legal tender evenings and at weekends.
likely to need prescription drugs, in England and Wales, but not Post offices are usually open
either bring your own or get your all stores take them. from 9am to 5:30pm Monday
doctor to write out the generic Banking hours vary, but to Friday, and until 12:30pm on
name of the drug (as opposed most are open from 9am to Saturday. Sub-post offices are
to the brand name). Some phar- 5pm, Monday to Friday. Most located in local stores. Stamps
macies are open until midnight, banks cash traveler’s checks, can be purchased from any
while doctors’ offices (known as and have cash machines (ATMs) outlet which displays the sign
surgeries) are normally open that accept most cards. You can “Stamps sold here.” Mail boxes
during the day only. also change money at private are always painted red.
DIRECTORY
Tourist Embassies US Embassy DisabledGo
Information
Australian High 24 Grosvenor Sq, London Unit 7, Arlington Court,
VisitBritain Commission W1. Tel 020-7499 9000. Arlington Business Park,
∑ visitbritain.com Australia House, ∑ london.usembassy. Stevenage SG1 2FS.
Strand, London WC2. gov Tel 01438-842 710.
VisitEngland Tel 020-7379 4334.
∑ visitengland.com Emergencies ∑ disabledgo.com
∑ uk.embassy.gov.au/
Regional Tourist lhlh/home.html Numbers Mobility
Boards Canadian High Police, Ambulance, International
Commission North America
London MacDonald House, Coastguard, and Fire
Opposite Platform 8, 1 Grosvenor Square, services Tel 541-343 1284.
Victoria Railway Station, London W1K. Tel 999. ∑ miusa.org
London SW1 1JU. Tel 020-7004 6000.
∑ visitlondon.com Facilities for Tourism For All
∑ canadainternational. the Disabled 7a Pixel Mill,
Scotland gc.ca 44 Appleby Road,
Tel 0845-859 1006. New Zealand High Disability Rights UK
∑ visitscotland.com 49–51 East Rd, London N1. Kendal, Cumbria
Commission LA9 6ES.
Wales 80 Haymarket, London Tel 020-7250 8181.
Tel 0870-830 0306. SW1. Tel 020-7930 8422. ∑ disabilityrightsuk. Tel 0845-124 9971.
∑ visitwales.com ∑ nzembassy.com org ∑ tourismforall.org.uk

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