I AM writing on behalf of Cardiff and Vale Community Health Council, the independent NHS Patient Watchdog, to ask members of the public and patients who access health services in Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan for stories detailing their experiences of using local NHS services.

The stories will provide a valuable insight into the quality of the health care they have received and their opinion of services provided. The stories are not just a sequence of events but include - the emotional effect of the experience and the storytellers' expectations and needs. The story can relate to any part of the NHS from primary care, ambulance services, including patient transport and emergency, outpatient and clinic appointments and hospital services.

It is important that the health service, which is undergoing major changes at present, does not lose the ability to hear the voices of local people. The CHC will be able to use the stories to target their monitoring activity of local NHS services and highlight any improvements that need to be made.

Stories can be sent in via post to Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Community Health Council, Third Floor, Park House, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, CF10 3AF or via email Cavog.chiefofficer@waleschc.org.uk.

Stephen Allen

Chief officer