RESIDENTS and patients in East Lancashire are being invited to have a say on the health services they receive.

Newly-formed Patient and Public Involvement Forums (PPI), which have been established for each NHS Trust, are asking residents to contact them about any health issues they may have.

Elizabeth Smithies, chairman of Blackburn with Darwen PCT Forum, said: "We want to make sure we are looking at issues patients and the public want us to look at, rather than what we think they want us to look at."

East Lancashire is to have five PPI forums -- Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT, Blackburn with Darwen PCT, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley PCT, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and Calderstones NHS Trust -- which will oversee and advise health authorities on their performance.

The forums were set up by the government-sponsored Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health (CPPIH), which was introduced last year.

Forums have been given powers to monitor and inspect health facilities and private health provision contracted by the NHS.

They will also be asked to obtain views from their communities and make recommendations about health services. The key to success for the new forums, according to Mollie Manthorpe, Chair of East Lancashire Hospitals Forum, is involving the community.

She said: "The whole rationale behind the forums is involvement. The forums are a unique and

exciting opportunity to ensure this happens."

To express an opinion contact the East Lancashire Partnership, which supports the PPI Forums on 01254 300469 or email health@elp.org.uk.

For further information on becoming a member of a forum visit www.elp.org.uk.