SIR, In North Cumbria (Carlisle and District, Eden Valley and West Cumbria), there are six Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Forums - one associated with each NHS and Primary Care Trust (PCT).

The NHS has a duty, under Section 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001, to put patients and public at the centre of any changes and involve them in the planning, decision-making and consultation of these changes.

It is the role of the PPI Forums to monitor that the NHS is fulfilling this duty effectively and to promote the involvement of the public with Primary Care Trusts and NHS Trusts. PPI Forums identify and promote good practice and they also liaise with the overview and scrutiny committee.

We have a website, www.ncumbriapatientforums.org.uk, and a designated telephone number 0845-603-0579, or alternatively you can write to PPI Forum Support, c/o Eden CVS, Unit 4b Redhills Business Park, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0DT, to have your say and get involved.

The major change taking place in North Cumbria is the Options for Change, which will affect the whole of North Cumbria communities.

The PPI Forums have formed a joint sub-committee of North Cumbria, so that we can work together to monitor the procedures of the trusts. This committee and all PPI Forums have statutory powers to request information directly from the trusts. They are there to represent patients and the public. In order to be able to do this successfully, we need everyone's help. We need to gather the views and concerns of the public.

We hope to hear from as many people as possible to have a good representation of the views and concerns of the whole community.

Margaret Dowling Chairwoman, Joint Sub Committee