A NEW freephone service will give people in Bury access to health advice.

Bury Primary Care Trust has launched the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) to provide information about health services, as well as on-the-spot help for patients, their families and carers, and support to resolve patients concerns or complaints quickly and efficiently.

PALS will complement existing services such as specialist advocacy services and the Primary Care Trust's complaints department.

A Trust spokesman said: "The Patient Advice and Liason Service is an important resource for the people of Bury, which will provide information, help and advice to patients, their families and carers.

"It is important that any issues raised by patients are dealt with swiftly and efficiently, and that people are involved in their own healthcare."

The freephone number is 0800 328 3166.