A PILOT scheme to help patients who want to make a complaint against the NHS or need advice has been launched.
The new Independent Complaints and Advocacy Service for East Lancashire Patients has been set up by local community health councils.
Chief officer with Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley CHC Nigel Robinson is leading the project.
He said: "A decision was taken in June 2002 by the Department of Health to invite submissions for the provision of pilot schemes.
"This provided an opportunity for both CHCs to work together to provide a new, user-friendly and easily accessible service for East Lancashire residents and patients from outside the area who use the service.
"This will involve working in partnership with many other agencies."
The pilot scheme will run until March next year from the offices of Blackburn CHC and Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale CHC.
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