NHS patients in Harold are to benefit from a new all-purpose advice and information service being launched this week across the Havering borough.

Following a string of successful trials across the UK, the Patient Advice and Liaison Service - PALS for short - was unveiled by Havering Primary Care Trust (PCT) bosses this week.

Housed in the administration block of St George's Hospital in Hornchurch, the PALS office is intended to offer a friendly point of contact by telephone, on email, and in person.

More locally, trained PALS staff will be nominated to work with GP surgeries, community clinics, in-patient wards, and outpatient clinics throughout the borough.

A spokeswoman for Havering PCT explained that the aim of the new service is to support patients, their relatives, and carers in the wider community.

And while it remains separate to the existing NHS complaints service, PCT bosses hope patients may choose to speak to a PALS officer before registering a formal complaint.

The spokeswoman said: 'The service will be seamless across health and social services and PALS will supply information about health-related services and offer on-the-spot support with any problems that may occur.

'PALS is not intended to replace good communications between patients and NHS staff but to enhance the communication process.'

PALS officer Val Ayris said that with eight years of health service experience to her credit she was looking forward to getting to grips with her new role.

She said: 'I am delighted to be the first PALS officer for Havering PCT. I am looking forward to helping and advising patients, relatives and carers with any concerns they may have about our services.'

The PALS office at St George's Hospital will be open on weekdays between 9am and 5pm, and can be contacted on freephone 0800 3282556 , where a 24-hour answerphone service operates.

For patients with hearing difficulties, a textphone service operates on 07931 731693 while staff can also be contacted on email at pals@havering.pct.nhs.uk.

Published Monday November 4, 2002