THE newly-launched St Helens Charter for Long Term Care aims to improve services and provide better information for users and carers across the borough.

Drawn up by St Helens Council's Housing and Social Services Sections, St Helens and Knowsley Health Authority and St Helens District Council for Voluntary Service after discussions with service users, carers and staff, the Charter is for anyone aged 18 or over who has difficulties associated with old age, long-term illness or disability and for carers who support people in those circumstances.

It aims to help users and carers to find out more about the services available while responding to their needs and also to helps user to find the right accommodation for their circumstances to allow them to continue living independently. The Charter also ensures that users have the right health care and provides support to help carers to care. By encouraging co-ordination between the council and the health authority, the Charter will create more effective services. It will also give users and carers the opportunity to be more involved in identifying standards and targets and will point them in the right direction if they are dissatisfied with the services they receive.

Copies of the Charter are located in all council offices, hospitals, doctors' surgeries, clinics and libraries. Summary leaflets are available for members of the public and can be obtained from the same locations. Comments and observations about the Charter and the care services would be welcomed by the council, the health authority and the Charter Champions whose names, addresses and contact numbers can be found in the Charter and the leaflets.