AN organisation which highlights issues people in York face in accessing health services has marked its first birthday.

Healthwatch York, an independent organisation which acts as a health watchdog, said it has had an exceptionally busy first year.

Among the many projects it has worked on, manager Sian Balsom said highlighting problems deaf people face when accessing services in York and feeding information back on the care.data programme have been significant.

Other achievements have been negotiating a longer consultation period over the planned closure of St Andrews counselling and psychotherapy unit, recruiting over 20 volunteers and starting work to look at discrimination facing disabled people.

Urging people to get in touch, Ms Balsom said: "We cannot make things better in York unless we know how it feels to be in York and accessing different health services.

"We believe together we can make York better for everybody."

To contact Healthwatch York, email healthwatch@yorkcvs.org.uk or call (01904) 621133.