The patient advice and liaison service (PALS) offers confidential advice, support, and information on healthcare-related matters to patients, their families, and caregivers.
The patient advice and liaison service provides a point of contact and assistance within the National Health Service (NHS) in England.
How can PALS help?
PALS can assist you in various ways, including:
- Answering health-related questions and providing information
- Helping to resolve concerns or issues you may have when using NHS services
- Guiding you on how to get more involved in your healthcare decisions and management
- Providing details about the NHS, the complaints procedure, and support groups outside the NHS
- Listening to your concerns and suggestions to help improve NHS services
Contacting your local PALS
You can find your nearest PALS office through:
- The NHS website What is PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service)?
- Inquiring at your GP surgery or local hospital
- Calling NHS 111 for contact information
- Making a complaint
If you are unsatisfied with an NHS service, you have the right to make a complaint:
First, address your complaint to the service provider (e.g., GP, dentist, hospital, pharmacist)
Alternatively, you can complain to the service commissioner:
- For primary care services (GPs, dentists, opticians, pharmacies), contact your local integrated care board (ICB)
- For secondary care services (hospitals, mental health, out-of-hours, NHS 111, community nursing), contact your local ICB
The patient advice and liaison service can provide guidance and support throughout the complaints process.
Finally, for any further information regarding the patient advice and liaison service please visit the NHS website, What is PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service)?