FROM time to time, I receive requests from people who have been so appalled at the prospect of a very long wait for an operation like a joint replacement that they have used some of their life savings to pay to have it privately.

Unfortunately, it is not sufficiently known by patients and, apparently, professionals that under present arrangements when anybody has been waiting on an NHS waiting list for six months they have the right to be referred under the NHS to any hospital, including a private one, that can carry out their operation soon.

If somebody is warned that the waiting list for a particular operation may be 12 months or more, and they are in pain, the choice they make is obvious.

Perhaps if they knew the maximum wait was a little over six months they would be able to bear the pain for that length of time.

I have asked the Primary Care Trust to make sure that all our GPs are aware of this arrangement as it is impossible to obtain a refund for people who have spent their own money on their operation.

Last Friday I enjoyed launching 220 turquoise balloons for Worcestershire Foster Carers representing their current carers and 25 yellow balloons to represent the new homes that they aim to recruit by the end of the year.

As there was a strong wind the balloons shot off to the north and were tiny dots in the sky in a matter of minutes.

I also attended an open meeting of the Wyre Forest Patient and Public Involvement Forum.

I was impressed with the knowledge and drive of all of the members and with the high attendance. The forum has already produced useful reports on out-of-hours care and local dentistry which have led to helpful responses from the Primary Care Trust and some improvements.

The programme for the next 12 months is ambitious. Members plan to examine methods of public engagement with health services and to look into delayed discharges.

They are heavily involved with the proposals for care of the older mentally ill and with the changes and hopes for maternity services.

Also on their list for further investigation are services for palliative care, access to NHS dentistry, rehabilitation services, transport and patient choice.

Recognising the dedication of the chairman and members I believe they will produce results in all these fields.

In London the debate on the Queen's Speech has been extraordinarily easy for the Government as the sessions have been largely given to new members to make their maiden speeches which, by tradition, are not confrontational.

So far, on all issues including health and education, ministers have not been tested.

If and when I can catch the Speaker's eye I hope to make some difference to this.