NEARLY 2,000 people have been given the chance to pass judgement on services provided by the two NHS trusts in Herefordshire.

They have been sent survey forms and asked to mark up the performance of Hereford Hospitals Trust and Herefordshire Primary Care Trust.

What they say will help to determine which star ratings the two trusts achieve on a national basis later this year.

Some people have returned completed forms but in many cases they are still lurking behind the clock on the mantel piece. Now there is a plea from both trusts to people, chosen randomly, to get cracking and complete the task.

Paul Bates, chief executive of the PCT, said they were genuine surveys which gave people 'a couple of powerful moments' to contribute to the scoring on the achievements of the two trusts.

Jeremy Millar, chief executive of the hospitals trust, was looking for a high response to the survey. "It is a real opportunity for people to have their say about the performance of the trusts and to influence the star ratings which they subsequently receive,'' he said.

The completed forms are returned to an independent body, the Commission for Health Improvement which inspects NHS organisations for the Government.

More information about the surveys can be obtained from Euan McPherson of the PCT on 01432 262023 or Stephanie Pennington of HHT on 014324 355444.