New forums are being heralded as a revolution in health, reports Alex Emery

Scores of health watchdogs in Swindon are embarking on a new scheme to ensure residents are receiving the best possible care.

Health forums are being hailed as a new voice for the people in a health revolution and those involved cannot wait to get started.

The Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health is behind the network of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Forums aimed at keeping checks on health standards.

Each NHS Trust and Primary Care Trust in England has its own forum, consisting of at least seven people who will discuss health issues affecting the area.

These could range from concerns regarding the building of telephone masts to patient numbers at a hospital.

Swindonians can join forums for the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust, Swindon Primary Care Trust (PCT), Kennet and North Wilts PCT and Cotswold and Vale PCT.

Shrivenham residents may join an Oxfordshire PCT forum. These are just a handful of the 570 running across the country.

The forums were launched a week ago with the phasing out of community health councils, the traditional first point of call for patients wishing to complain about their hospital care.

The region's representatives in the new forums are among 4,500 from across England.

Former Swindon borough and Wiltshire county councillor John Archer, 66, is one of several new recruits and is eager to help get the best out of the NHS for Swindon residents.

He said: "I have a great deal of faith in the health system. It has saved my life a couple of times. I can't wait to get started in this new forum."

Erica Lewis, the South West regional manager for the commission, explained the significance of the forums scheme.

She said: "These forums actually have legal powers. They have statutory rights to ask their Trust for information.

"Other than information which would act against patient confidentiality the Trust must tell the forums what they need to know within 20 working days.

"If, for example, there have been rumours about bed closures, the forum has the right to know whether it is true. Nobody has these powers at the moment so it is a breakthrough.

"Trusts are now inspected and given star ratings. It is hoped that forums will help get better ratings by working constructively with the Trust."

Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust, which runs Great Western Hospital, and Swindon Primary Care Trust, which runs community health care, were both awarded two-star ratings from watchdog, the Commission for Health Improvement in July.

If a Trust is not responding appropriately, the forum has the power to approach the local authority's Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

If there are still problems the situation will be referred to the Health Secretary.

Ms Lewis added: "We have been delighted by the level of interest we have received from the people of Swindon and the South West.

"To date we have received over 400 applications. The people's willingness to get involved and their desire to make a difference will mean that the forums will truly be a voice for the people."

Members of PPI Forums, will be provided with training and development opportunities to enable them to participate effectively.

They will be provided with support from Forum Support Organisations and by the regional centres of the commission.

As such there is no set budget for each forum, but rough estimates indicate that they will have around £25,000 a year to cover costs including members' expenses, questionnaires and inspectors' surveys.

The Commission chairwoman, Sharon Grant, said: "For the first time anywhere in the world, the public is being made a genuine partner in health, with significant powers, and on an unprecedented scale.

"Thousands of people have became the first forum members last week, and thousands more will join them in 2004.

"They will represent the voice of the public in every locality in England, putting forward the views of their communities without fear or favour, to improve health and health services.

"The arrival of the forums heralds a key culture change and a quiet revolution in health."

Recruitment for the remaining forum positions is continuing. If you are interested, call 0845 120 7115 or apply online at www.maketimeforhealth.org

Alex Emery