PEOPLE in Worcestershire should get more of a say in decisions that affect their health following the establishment of a new Government organisation.

The Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health will champion and promote the involvement of the public in local NHS decisions.

Kidderminster MP Dr Richard Taylor welcomed the Commission, and said the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital may not have happened if the organisation had existed five years ago.

It will train members of the public with the skills needed to get involved, and support patients to ensure their voices are heard.

The new body, which was launched on Tuesday, intends to work with marginalised groups to ensure that getting involved is as easy as possible.

It will also encourage patient forums to use modern technology and find alternative approaches to meetings to generate as much interest as possible.

Health Minister David Lammy said he was looking forward to working with the Commission to bring about a cultural change in the way the NHS deals with patients and the public.

"The NHS belongs to the public," he said. "They have the right to be fully involved and consulted about how local NHS services are planned, delivered and how they can best be improved."

The Commission is chaired by Sharon Grant, a former university lecturer in social policy, and features 10 commissioners appointed by the NHS Appointments Commission.

"We welcome the shifting balance of power towards patients and the public that all these changes bring and look forward to playing our own significant role in building a modern, responsive NHS," said Mrs Grant.

"I welcome this tremendously," said Dr Taylor. "If the people's voice had really been heard at the time of the Worcestershire changes, they wouldn't have taken place."

However, he said the Government had shown itself to be extremely good with words and not so good at translating them into actions.

"There is no mention of acting on any recommendation from the public voice," said the Independent MP.