PATIENTS can voice their opinion on community health services.

The Care Quality Commission’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals, Professor Sir Mike Richards, wants people’s views of St Helens’ services run by Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Trust.

This is the first community health service to be inspected in the north under radical changes being introduced by the Care Quality Commission.

The formal inspection, by a team including clinical experts and people who have experience of using the organisation’s services, will start on Monday, February 3.

They will be assessing care at home, in clinics, at health centres, in children’s centres or GP practices and community hospitals.

Children’s and family services, those relating to adults with long-term conditions, in-patient services and end-of-life care will come under scrutiny.

Inspectors will be speaking to district nurses, ward staff and health visitors as well as contacting patients, visiting clinics and visiting people in their own homes.

Sir Mike said: "It is vital that we hear the views of people who have received care, or anyone who wants to share information with us, to help us plan our inspection, and so focus on those things that really matter to people who depend on this service.”

To express your views, email enquiries@cqc.org.uk, write to CQC, Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4PA or phone 03000 61 61 61.

For more information on the trust, visit cqc.org.uk/contact-us.