A WOMAN who was "batted from pillar to post" as she attempted to access services for her mum who needed full time care, has been appointed a health watchdog for Craven.

Heidi Edmondson, of Skipton, who worked in the health service for 25 years, has taken on the post as Healthwatch North Yorkshire board member for Craven.

"I gave up work to become an unpaid carer for my mum in December last year. I couldn't continue working full time and look after her at the same time.

"I found access to services so difficult - it could take up so much time to get help and support.

"Contacting social services, district nurses, mental health and GPs to help supply services was like being batted from pillar to post," said Heidi, a former student of Aireville School, Skipton.

With her experience as a health service worker and a carer, she was spurred on to take up the job because she felt she was ideally placed to represent the "voice of the people".

The role of Healthwatch in Craven is to make sure the views and experiences of people in Craven are listened to by those who plan and regulate health and social care services.

The organisation is concentrating on three areas at present - GP out of hours services, hospital discharge and post-hospital support arrangements and carer support, with particular focus on unpaid carers.

"We are appealing for two volunteers who would be trained to help gather experiences and evidence from communities about health and social care.

"It would involve visiting services to observe how patients received care, to speak with patients and carers about their experiences and write a brief report about their findings," she said.

People interested should telephone 01904 621631, visit heathwatchnorthyorkshire.co.uk and email healthwatchny@nbforum.org.uk.