PEOPLE who want to talk about their treatment at the hands of ambulance staff in Herefordshire and Worcestershire are being invited to express their opinions.

The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) is, this week, beginning a routine assessment of the services of Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Services NHS Trust and wants to hear from the public.

The assessment, known as clinical governance review, will take 17 weeks and is part of a rolling programme that will involve a CHI team visiting every NHS trust and local health group in the country.

The review will look at the management, provision and quality of healthcare services, which will include GPs, community nurses, pharmacists and opticians.

"The patients' experience of care lies at the heart of CHI's work," said CHI chairman Dame Deirdre Hine.

"We aim to improve standards by focusing on the experience of those using the NHS. We want the NHS to see itself as the patients see it.

"Sometimes that process will be an uncomfortable one, but it's vital if we're to provide a better service."

Peter Homa, chief executive of CHI, backed her comments and said the review was necessary for the good of patients. "CHI exists to help ensure patients get a first class service from the NHS," he said.

"We are coming to Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Services NHS Trust and will work with the trust to identify good practice and areas where patient care can be improved."

Anyone wishing to discuss their experiences can speak at meetings, which will be held on Wednesday, April 17, Thursday April 18, and Friday April, 19.

To arrange a confidential appointment, send comments or ask for more information, phone the CHI on 0845 601 3012, quoting the reference HWAS.

Alternatively, you can e-mail Karen.wilson@chi.nhs.uk.