Champions for rights to advocacy are sought (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Champions for rights to advocacy are sought

ADULTS who use health and social care services in Wiltshire are being canvassed to help improve services championing their rights.

Wiltshire County Council, together with the primary care trusts in Kennet and North Wiltshire, West Wiltshire and Salisbury, want to make sure everyone has access to an advocacy service.

This type of service is provided in a piecemeal fashion across the county and as a result some people are not able to get support to help them state their case if they feel their needs are not being appropriately met, or their rights are not being respected.

To help commission a more comprehensive range of advocacy services, the county council and the PCTs want to hear the views of people who use these services and to set up a group to discuss this issue.

People interested in being part of this working group will have experience of using health and social care services, an understanding of the role of advocacy, be prepared to work in a group and be willing to attend six meetings between July and September 2005.

The closing date for applications to be part of the consultation group is June 17 and details of how to apply can be obtained from: Rachel Bailey, Wiltshire County Council, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, Wilts BA14 8LE or email rachelbailey@wiltshire.gov.uk