THE first public meeting of a group set up to provide a voice to patients in Worcestershire on how their health services are run is set to be held this month.

The independent Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Forums were set up for every health trust across the UK in January to replace the former watchdogs Community Health Councils, which were abolished last December.

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The PPI group set up to oversee the work of the Redditch and Bromsgrove Primary Care Trust will hold its first open meeting for the public on Monday, June 14, between 12pm and 1pm, at the Methodist Church Centre, in Stratford Road, Bromsgrove.

"All forums have significant legislative powers and this Forum will ensure anyone who uses services provided by the Redditch and Bromsgrove PCT will be able to air their views and concerns through them," said PPI co-ordinator Sue Hulbert.