Patient service on the move...

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) has left the Rotherham Community Health Centre and is based at NHS Rotherham’s headquarters at Oak House in Bramley.

Face-to-face appointments will be available by arrangement and PALS will also continue to operate as a telephone, letter and email information service.

The relocation will ensure that a reliable and dependable telephone service is available to Rotherham residents.

NHS Rotherham’s head of patient and public relations, Helen Watts, said:

“We want to ensure that people can continue to access reliable, high quality information regarding health services in Rotherham.

“Relocating the service will mean that telephone lines will be open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday offering a more consistent and responsive service while ensuring every penny of tax payers money spent on NHS resources is used as effectively and efficiently as possible.”

The PALS service offers:

- General health and service information including information on access to emergency dental appointments.

- Information on health organisations and support groups

- Confidential advice and support in raising concerns or sharing comments

- An appointment service for people who need face to face support will be available.

To contact PALS or make an appointment, phone the helpline on 01709 423030 between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday except bank holidays.

Outside of these times, a telephone answer service will be in operation for patients to leave a message and contact details, so a PALS officer can get back to you on the next working day.

A free phone service will operate from Rotherham Community Health Centre so that patients and the public can contact PALS free of charge.

A freephone to PALS will also be available at Aston and Maltby Joint Service Centres.