Help to have your say

If you need help or advice about having your say, lots of people can help. You can get help from any of the organisations we list in this section. There are lots of ways to get in touch - just choose the way that suits you best.

• For advice or help with making a complaint, you can speak to someone at your local citizens advice bureau (CAB). CABs are free, confidential, independent, local charities that can advise anybody of any age. You can find your nearest bureau in the phone book or on the Citizens Advice Scotland website (www.cas.org.uk).
  

• Action for Sick Children (Scotland) work with children, young people and their families by giving health care information and support. They can also help you have your say about your health needs and rights.
  Action for Sick Children (Scotland)
  22 Laurie Street Edinburgh, EH6 7AB
  Phone 0131 553 6553
  Email enquiries@ascscotland.org.uk
  Website www.ascscotland.org.uk
  

• The Scottish Child Law Centre is independent and confidential and can give you information about your rights and how the law affects you.
  Scottish Child Law Centre
  54 East Crosscauseway Edinburgh EH8 9HD
  Information helpline 0131 667 6333
  Freephone number 0800 328 8970 (for people under 18)
  Free text service: text ‘SCLC’ then your question to 80800
  Email enquiries@sclc.org.uk
  Website www.sclc.org.uk
  

• ChildLine is a free and confidential helpline for all children and young people in the UK. You can call, email or write to ChildLine for help and advice about anything.
  Freepost 1111 Glasgow G1 1BR
  Freephone number 0800 1111 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
  Email scotland@childline.org.uk
  Website www.childline.org.uk
  

• Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People (SCCYP) promotes and protects your rights. If you want to know more about your rights and how to have a say about your health care then contact SCCYP.
  SCCYP
  85 Holyrood Road Edinburgh EH8 8AU
  Telephone 0131 558 3733
  Freephone number for young people 0800 019 1179
  Email enquiries@sccyp.org.uk
  Website www.sccyp.org.uk
  

• The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) provides an independent and free service to help people who are still having problems after they have made a complaint. The Ombudsman cannot help you make a complaint. However, the Ombudsman  can help if:
•  you are finding it difficult to get an answer to your complaint, or
  
• if you are unhappy with the results of a complaint you have made about the NHS.

• Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
  Freepost EH 641, Edinburgh EH3 0BR or 4 Melville Street, Edinburgh EH3 7NS
  Advice line freephone 0800 377 7330
  Text 0790 049 4372
  Website www.spso.org.uk

How can I find out more?

We have produced two other leaflets for young people.

• Consent – your rights tells you about your right to be involved in decisions about your health care and treatment.
• Confidentiality - your rights tells you how the health service keeps information about you private.
  

Page last edited: 22 March 2011