OLD folk have a chance tomorrow (Wed July 18) to find out how health services will be improved for them.

Social services staff have linked up with Age Concern to stage the one-day event for elderly residents and their carers.

It coincides with the introduction of the National Service Framework (NSF), which aims to set out national standards of care for older people.

The meeting is at the Jubilee Centre off Mosley Avenue, Bury. There will be a presentation on the NSF, a question and answer session, and "tasters" looking at a range of subjects from exercise to healthy eating. Councillor Farook Chaudhry, Bury's elders spokesman, said the NSF would try to ensure high quality services for older people and treat them with respect and dignity.

"There are also a range of standards set out which cover everything from rooting out age discrimination to levels of care and the promotion of health and active life in older age. Hospitals, consultants, nurses, GPs and clinics are all to work more closely with local authorities, and especially social services and housing departments, to ensure that these new standards are not only attained but maintained.

"The benefits these should bring range from more resources to treat conditions such as hip replacements and cataract operations, to fewer mixed sex open-plan wards, more consistent care to prevent and treat strokes, plus more beds for rehabilitation and convalescence.

"There will be advice and help to reduce things such as falls, to take up flu injections and have the opportunity to exercise."

Places are limited at the meeting. Those interested in attending should contact either Beryl Pilkington on 763 9030 or Irene Sargeant on 253 5431.