ACCIDENT and emergency patients are to be given a chance to air their views about service provision in the region as part of a nation-wide bid to drive up standards.

The Commission for Health Improvement wants to speak to local people who have used accident, emergency and patient transport services provided by the Cumbria Ambulance Services NHS trust to find out if there is room for improvement.

On October 1 in Kendal a trained team of doctors, nurses, paramedics and managers plan to speak to individuals and small groups about the quality of service provided by the trust.

The assessment is part of a rolling programme involving every NHS trust and local health group in England and Wales.

To arrange a confidential appointment, send in views or get further information contact 0845 601 3012 quoting reference "Cumbria Ambulance".