USERS of the local health service will celebrate NHS week by injecting their views into how it is run.

Bury and Rochdale Health Authority is using NHS Week to launch a modernisation review which will enable staff and patients to have their say on the future of the health service locally.

The first stage of the review will allow the health authority to be assessed against national criteria to see how far the local area is progressing towards the targets laid out in the NHS Plan.

A second stage will develop a three-to-five year strategy towards achieving health improvement targets. During this stage, staff, care providers and patients will be able to contribute to the review to have their say on local priorities and funding. NHS staff will be able to air their views at a series of presentations, meetings and in correspondence.

Other events are planned in the autumn to allow the wider community to have their say.

Richard Popplewell, chief executive of Bury and Rochdale Health Authority said: "This review will help us to see how we are progressing towards achieving the NHS plan in Bury and Rochdale and how we match up to other areas. We anticipate the review will flag up the high level of hard work and commitment from NHS staff in our local area.

"We want to involve as many staff and stakeholders as possible during the two-stage process. Staff can help by contributing to the assessment process and the plan for the future. Similarly we will be encouraging stakeholders to have their say at the events to be held in both towns in the autumn."