PATIENT forums across Worcestershire are celebrating the first anniversary of their new campaign to improve health services.

The county's five Patient and Public Involvement Forums give the community a clear voice to get things changed.

The 50 members, who are all unpaid, highlight concerns within the local community about healthcare issues and campaign to make sure that patients' views are heard.

Tina Watson, regional manager of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health. said this was an opportunity to celebrate the volunteers' dedication.

"Forums develop positive dialogue with the NHS to involve patients and the wider public in decision-making," she said.

"It's amazing how far things have come."

Volunteers have inspected cleanliness in hospitals, investigated the implications of keeping people in hospital too long, produced information cards on out-of-hours emergency services for mental health patients, and submitted a report on the needs of patients with learning difficulties.

To become involved call 0845 1207111 or e-mail enquiries@cppih.org