CLEANLINESS, patient complaints and services provided at Worcestershire's hospitals are to be investigated by a new watchdog group acting on behalf of county residents.

The Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) forum for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which acts as patients' voices over the way the county's hospitals are run, has held its first public meeting.

PPI forums were set up in January to replace Community Health Councils, which were abolished last December.

The forums are independent bodies set up by the Government to help patients and the public shape and improve the provision of healthcare and services.

A forum has been set up for every primary care and NHS trust in England and all members are volunteers.

The PPI forum that met last week vowed to investigate the public's concerns in connection to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Kidderminster Hospital, and the Alexandra, in Redditch - all run by the county's acute trust.

"All forums have significant legislative powers and we will ensure anyone who uses services provided by the trust will be able to air their views and concerns through us," said Sue Hulbert, the group's co-ordinator.

The meeting, which took place in the Redditch Room Conference Centre, at University College Worcester, saw the group's work plan officially "signed off" by its members.

The plan outlines all the issues the group will be focusing on over the next year, and included an investigation into the way hospital clinics are run, such as the special clinics for diabetes sufferers.

"We will involve and consult a cross-section of the community and ensure the forum is involved in local issues affecting the health services," added chairman Nick Patterson.

He also urged more members of the public to attend future meetings of the group.

For more information about the forum and their work, or to find out when their next open meeting takes place, contact Sue Hulbert on 01905 798844 or e-mail sue.hulbert@fsmail.net