National Eczema Society has taken the difficult decision to close its eczema helpline and stop providing personalised eczema advice. This change has been implemented today, 18 March 2024. We understand this will be disappointing for supporters and others who have used the Society’s helpline in the past and appreciate the advice provided. We have been pleased and proud to have supported people through the helpline for many years.
The Society produces a wide range of information about eczema and how to treat the condition. This is available through our website, factsheets, booklets, membership magazine, webinars and videos. We’re planning to grow these resources in the future, which are used and valued by millions of people in the eczema community.
We are a relatively small charity, serving a large community of people affected by eczema – over eight million adults and children in the UK and their families. With limited funding, we have to make difficult choices over how to allocate our limited resources to achieve the biggest impact for people with eczema.
We want to focus more on our work supporting eczema research, to develop better treatments and ultimately a cure, and campaigning for better eczema care for all sufferers. These changes will enable us to become a stronger collective voice for the eczema community. Too many people are struggling to achieve a good quality of life because of their eczema and we need better care urgently.
We recommend you speak to your doctor of other healthcare professional for advice about managing your eczema. If you have urgent healthcare needs, then contact NHS 111 or call an ambulance.
Organisations including the Samaritans and Mind, offer support with the emotional impacts of living with eczema – do contact these organisations directly if needed.
We will keep the situation under review and should the charity’s funding position become stronger in the future, then we will reassess the viability of having a helpline service.
If you have any questions about this, please email Andrew Proctor at info@eczema.org