HELEN Hand is to lead a team of problem solving health service PALS.

The former chief officer of Wigan and Leigh Community Health Council, Helen has taken up her new post as patient and public involvement co-ordinator working across both the soon to be formed Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Primary Care Trust and Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust.

Her first job is to establish the new government initiative of the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).

She said: "The aim of the team will be to resolve issues before they become formal complaints."