Open Day for Patient Advice Service

January 8^th, 2002

Following national consultation with patients, the general public, NHS staff and various professional bodies, two main issues became apparent: that patients felt they did not have a strong enough say in the health service and, most importantly, that they wanted on-the-spot help with any concerns they might have.  The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) was set up to help address the situation.

West Suffolk Hospitals' PALS has been based within the Trust since 24^th September 2001 and is there to provide help, support and information to all patients, their relatives and carers who use the Trust's services.  The Trust is holding a 'PALS Week' in the Hospital from Monday 14th January until Friday 18th January and the PALS Team - Heather Stephens, Thelma Wingfield and Jo Lucas - look forward to meeting anyone who is interested in learning more about what we have to offer.

On Tuesday 15th January between 2-4pm and on Friday 18th January between 10am-1pm all three members of the PALS team will be available in the PALS office which is situated in reception at West Suffolk Hospital.  Heather and Thelma, the PALS Officers, will be on hand to talk about the service and Jo, the PALS Technical Support Officer, will be demonstrating the website and will have examples of the Trust's information sheets that she is helping to produce.

Heather Stephens, Senior PALS Officer, said: "In the four months that PALS has been running in the Trust we have assisted around ninety people. As well as allaying concerns and resolving problems, the information we gather, by listening to what the patients, their relatives and carers have to say, is used to help improve the services that the Hospital provides."

Office hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am - 8.00pm. PALS can be contacted on 01284 712555 which also has an out of hours answerphone facility available on the same number.