PATIENTS are being asked for their views of Whiston and St Helens Hospitals.

England's Chief Inspector of Hospitals is inviting members of the public to tell his inspection panel what they think of the services provided by St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Their views and experiences will help inspectors decide what to look at when they carry out their next inspection.

The trust will be inspected and given an overall rating under a new method of inspection introduced by the Care Quality Commission.

The formal inspection will start on August 18, 2015.

Chief inspector, Professor Sir Mike Richards will lead significantly larger inspection teams than before, headed up by clinical and other experts including trained members of the public.

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

"We know there is too much variation in quality. These new in-depth inspections will allow us to get a much more detailed picture of care in hospitals than ever before.

"Of course we will be talking to doctors and nurses, hospital managers and patients in the hospital.

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

“This will help us plan our inspection, and so help us focus on the things that really matter to people who depend on this service.

“This is your opportunity to tell me and my team what you think, and make a difference to NHS services.”

Patients are invited to a listening event at 6pm on Tuesday, 11 August in the main hall at St Helens Town Hall, Victoria Square, Corporation Street.

People will be able to find out more about the inspection process, tell the team about their experiences of care and say where they would like to see improvements made in the future.

Inspectors are expected to look in detail at key service areas including A&E; medical care; surgery; intensive and critical care; maternity; paediatrics/children’s care; end of life care; and outpatients.

A full report of the inspectors’ findings will be published by the CQC later in the year.

If you cannot attend the listening event you can call 03000 616161, email enquiries@cqc.org.uk or visiting cqc.org.uk/syesthelensandknowsley or write to CQC, Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4PA