WHAT do you think of the care provided by Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust?

That’s the question being asked by England’s chief inspector of hospitals as he invites people to tell his inspection panel what they think of their local community and mental health services.

It’s part of a radical change which has been introduced by the Care Quality Commission which will see the trust inspected and given an overall rating.

The formal inspection of the Trust’s services will start on September 7.

Your views and experiences will help inspectors decide what to look at during the inspection and the information will be used to guide future inspections.

Chief inspector Professor Sir Mike Richards announced last year that he will lead significantly larger inspection teams than before, headed up by clinical and other experts.

This will include trained members of the public.

Members of the public are being encouraged to tell the team about their experiences of care over the past year.

They will also be invited to express their opinions on where they would like to see improvements made in the future as well as finding out more about the inspection.

Sir Mike said: “The new inspections are designed to provide people with a clear picture of the quality of the services in their local hospital, exposing poor or mediocre care as well as highlighting the many hospitals providing good and excellent care.

“Of course we will be talking to doctors and nurses, hospital managers and patients at the trust.

“But it is vital that we also hear the views of the people who have received care at the trust, or anyone who wants to share information with us.

“This is your opportunity to tell the team what you think, and make a difference to the NHS services in the local area.”

A full report of the findings will be published later in the year.

Anyone who wishes to give their views to the inspection team can do this by: n Completing the Share Your Experience form online cqc.org.

uk/share-your-experience-finder n By email to enquiries@cqc.

org.uk n By letter: by writing to CQC, Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4PA n By telephone: just call 030006- 16161