HEALTHWATCH Dorset has produced a new, easy-to-read version of a guide to complaints about health services.

The organisation publicised new, national guides written by Healthwatch England and Citizens’ Advice last year and responded to calls on social media for the guides to be made more accessible for readers with learning disabilities.

Healthwatch England had no plans to put together an easy reading version of the guide, so Healthwatch Dorset decided to make it happen themselves.

The group worked alongside a ‘speaking up’ group for people with learning disabilities in order to put together the guide. It received praise from Healthwatch England and Citizens’ Advice and the project is now likely to be replicated on a national scale. The Dorset group has made the new guide freely available to other Healthwatch branches.

Joyce Guest, chairman of Healthwatch Dorset, said: “This easy read complaints guide gives people clear and accessible information about their rights and about how to make a complaint about a health or care service.

“We are proud to have been able to strengthen the voice of people with learning disabilities, not only in Dorset but across the country.”

Jane Mordue, interim chairman of Healthwatch England, said: “It is important that everyone gets the support they need to complain if they are not happy with the care or treatment they have received, in a format that’s right for them. We’re pleased to see this contribution from Healthwatch Dorset, which we hope will help people with learning disabilities to make their voices heard.”

Healthwatch Dorset worked with Poole Forum to put together the guide.

The Poole Forum group is run by people with learning disabilities and aims to give its members a voice in the community.

Nikki Brown, manager of Poole Forum, said: “We are really pleased to work in partnership with Healthwatch and the Citizens’ Advice Bureau to provide this accessible guide, and get things right for people who need easy read information.

“It is great to see the organisations providing information in line with the requirements of the new Accessible Information Standard 2016.”

The guide is available at healthwatchdorset.co.uk and those who would prefer a print copy should call 0300 111 0102.