AN advice service for patients offering help with any aspect of local healthcare provision in parts of North Yorkshire is going from strength to strength.

People are increasingly making use of the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (Pals), which has been set up by Craven, Harrogate and Rural District Primary Care Trust.

Pals provides a single access point for patients, carers and relatives, enabling them to raise concerns or make comments about any aspect of health services in the area.

Concerns are later raised with the appropriate staff to help resolve issues, initiate changes and improve patients' experiences.

Lynda Wigley, of the trust, said: "By engaging in dialogue and hearing people's comments about our local NHS we can learn some important lessons."

Issues that have already been addressed by Pals include patient transport, digital hearing aids, NHS dentistry and GP registration.

The service is accessible to people living in the area by calling 0845 601 1482.