HEALTH bosses will face a grilling from the public at Malvern Theatres on Friday, March 24.

New hospital plans and dental coverage will be on the agenda at the meeting, organised by Malvern Town Council.

It comes a year after residents packed the Forum to hear the latest news on the town's new hospital.

Leaflets have been sent to every household in the town, urging residents to come along and challenge key decision-makers to give them some straight answers.

Questions to be asked include: What is the timetable for the new hospital? What changes can we expect in the town's health service? How can I find an NHS dentist?

Facing the public will be South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust chief executive Paul Bates and chairman David Barlow, plus John Rostill, chief executive of the acute hospitals trust.

Veteran campaigner Pat Merrick, Dr James Mather of Court Road surgery, MP Sir Michael Spicer and county councillor Phillip Gretton are also on the panel.

Town councillor Keith Phillips, who will chair the meeting, said: "Apart from the hospital, we're hoping Paul Bates can tell us about the changes to the NHS as a whole.

"Then we're throwing the rest of the evening open to questions, and we hope everyone who's concerned about the future of the health service will come along."

Hundreds of people flocked to the Forum for last year's meeting. It followed an earlier meeting arranged by the health trust at the Abbey Hotel, which had to be cancelled when the venue got too crowded.

Questions can be sent in advance to the town council, Belle Vue Terrace, or asked on the night. The meeting starts at 7pm.