FAMILY doctors across the UK are being urged to make sure they can provide the right support for patients struggling to cope with the impact of meningitis.

This month, more than 11,000 GP practices across the UK are receiving information from the Meningitis Trust, the UK's longest established meningitis charity.

The move follows a survey carried out by the Meningitis Trust, which indicates there might be as many as 500,000 people living in the UK today who have had meningitis (bacterial or viral) or associated septicaemia.

Many of them have been left to cope with devastating after-effects and many GPs have to help people deal with the impact of the disease.

The debilitating after-effects of meningitis range from the loss of a limb (where septicaemia has been involved) to less visible changes, such as loss of hearing or concentration, behavioural problems, relationship difficulties and an enforced change of lifestyle.

Additionally, although many people do survive meningitis, many die, which means people are also left to cope with bereavement.

While the individual has to overcome the direct consequences of meningitis, family and friends can be affected emotionally, socially and financially, which can have a negative impact on their health, resulting in thousands of people turning to their GP and other local health professionals for help.

Sue Davie, chief executive of the Meningitis Trust, said: "We understand how difficult it is for doctors and other health professionals when dealing with people who have had their lives changed by meningitis, in one way or another, but we are here to work with them and help them give the right support to people when they really need it.

"We know from experience that it is really beneficial for people to have the support they need quickly and in the early stages of the disease.

"We can support them in supporting their patients and anyone else whose life has changed because of this disease. The trust is currently celebrating 21 years of providing help and support and I am delighted that our work is now endorsed by Professor Stephen Field, chairman of the Royal College of GPs."

The Meningitis Trust helps around 20,000 people annually through its free services, including a 24-hour nurse helpline (0800 028 1828), professional counselling, home and hospital visits and community support.

It gives away more than £120,000 every year in financial support grants and distributes around 2 million items of information to make people more aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis.

The Meningitis Trust website address is www.meningitis-trust.org.