THREE key figures are scheduled to take part in a live radio debate about the National Health Service in Worcestershire later this month.

John Rostill and Michael O'Riordan, chief executive and chairman of the county's hospitals trust, and Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor will be joining the audiences for the discussion on Thursday, June 22.

The two-hour broadcast from Kidderminster, Worcester and Redditch will involve health professionals, experts, policitians and patients who will have their say on the state of the NHS.

Dr Taylor is unable to join the Wyre Forest panel at Kidderminster College because of a clash with a meeting of the Health Select Committee, but will make his way to a BBC studio in London where he will be linked to Kidderminster.

The Shuttle/Times & News has teamed up with its sister papers in Redditch and Worcester and BBC Hereford and Worcester to stage the discussion, Your Health Your Future.

The aim is to create a better understanding of the crisis facing the NHS in Worcestershire where the hospitals trust is seeking 700 job cuts in a bid to tackle a £30 million funding shortfall.

Also taking part in the debate will be Eamonn Kelly and David Priestnall (chairman and chief executive of Wyre Forest PCT), Wyre Forest Patient Forum members Janie Thomas and Anne Mace, a Royal College of Nursing representative, healthcare students from Kidderminster College, former Bewdley mayor and ex-hospital matron Liz Davies and King Charles I High School students intending to study medicine.

A Wyre Forest patient who recently recovered from prostate cancer will also be recounting his experiences.

Hospitals all over the country are in crisis at a time when the Government has pumped billions of pounds of extra money into the service and it is hoped the discussion will provide some fresh ideas on how to solve the problems.

Patients, in particular, are being encouraged to have their say and the Shuttle/Times & News is asking its readers to share their views and experiences.

Editor Clive Joyce said: "Those who use our health services have a crucial part to play in an attempt to find a way forward. We want to hear the views of patients. We would like them to share their experiences, whether they are good or bad, so that we can get a clearer picture of what is happening in our hospitals.

"We do not intend to get into the blame game - we want to try and help those running the health service to come to some conclusions that will see the NHS move on."

Readers who want to ask a question or share an experience during the debate should write to NHS debate, Shuttle/Times & News, Blackwell Street, Kidderminster DY10 2DY.

The debate will be broadcast live on BBC Hereford and Worcester next Thursday from noon until 2pm.