MEET YOUR PALS

Come and meet your PALS at an event to celebrate the launch of the new Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) in North Kirklees.

The new PALS service, provided by the South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust is based at the Priestley Unit, Dewsbury and District Hospital.

The launch event will be held on the 9th March 2004, between 3pm and 7pm, in the foyer of the Priestley Unit. It will give members of the public, service users, their families, carers and staff the opportunity to meet PALS workers and gain access to advice and information. Hoot music will also be on hand to provide interactive workshops, ensuring everybody gets into the celebratory mood of the day. Refreshments will be provided.

PALS is a free and confidential service which can give information to people with mental health problems or learning disabilities, their carers, family, friends and staff. It can guide people through the different services available at the Trust and other local services and can help people with any concerns they may have about the care that they receive.

Speaking about the service, Glynis Stirling, PALS worker said, ‘PALS aims to take some of the confusion out of getting the right care and treatment. We provide an informal, relaxed atmosphere for people to obtain information and talk to us about any worries, or advice they have about the services they are receiving. It is a completely confidential service but we are unable to offer counselling, diagnosis or any detailed medical information.’

PALS worker, Aboo-baker Bhana added, ‘The launch event will be a great way for people in North Kirklees to find out who we are, what services we can offer them and how to access these services.’

PALS workers for North Kirklees are Glynis Stirling and Aboo-baker Bhana, they can be contacted on 01924 512276.