COPING with an illness is difficult for patients and their loved ones.
The stress of undergoing treatment, feeling low and dealing with the shock of diagnosis means people are at their most vulnerable.
So fighting against discrimination, misdiagnosis or poor treatment is often too daunting a task to tackle.
But there is a group of dedicated people who make it their business to speak out for patients' rights.
Flintshire's healthcare watchdog, the Community Health Council (CHC), regularly inspects doctor's surgeries and hospitals across North East Wales as well as battling for better patient care.
But they need more volunteers to help in carrying out the work and letting more people know help is available.
Vice-chairwoman of Flint-shire area CHC, Gill Isted, found out about the committee when her husband was misdiagnosed and later found to have cancer.
'The problem with a body like the CHC is you don't really know it's there until you need it and then you go and find it,' she said.
'We want people to know we are there and that we are there for them.'
Common complaints discovered by CHC members include misdiagnosis, age discrimination, delays in treatment and getting the right standard of treatment.
Hospital inspections have also revealed some elderly patients arenotbeinghelped with eating their meals, and changing cubicles are being used as storage cupboards.
Flintshire CHC has a big task on its hands with responsibility for inspecting two general hospitals - the Wrexham Maelor and Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan - five community hospitals, 25 doctors' surgeries, dentists, pharmacies and care homes.
But chairman Roy Davies says it is enjoyable and vogambling. lunteers only need to devote three days of every month.
'It is interesting and rewarding knowing you are benefiting the public, especially the most vulnerable,' he said.
For more information on Flintshire Community Health Council call 0845 226 7292 or visit the www.clwydchc.org.uk website.
