Elderly residents of Ongar and North Weald who end up in hospital could benefit from the support and comfort of a local charity.

The Advocacy for Older People in Hospital service, tries to ease the worries and pressure of having to stay in hospital for treatment.

A spokesman said: "Knowing someone is on your side can help patients and carers deal with the worries and anxieties that surround hospital admissions and discharges."

The Harlow based group acts as a go-between for patients and carers and is a voice for elderly hospital patients.

The spokesman continued: "Patients have a right to have a say in what happens t them during their hospital stay - how often do you hear of decisions being made over the heads of patients as if they were invisible. Advocacy For Older People in Hospital wants to help even more peopole have their say and regain some control over what is a very vulnerable period in their lives."

The service has now been running for 18 months and is available at St Margaret's Hospital in Epping and Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow.

For more information call 01279 641930.

Published Tuesday November 18, 2003

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