A NEW, in-depth survey of NHS patients in the Okehampton area got under way last week, inviting comments on issues ranging from dental services to out of hours care.
More than 800 patients in the Mid Devon Primary Care Trust area are being sent a survey form.
The exercise is aimed at finding out where there is room for improvement and how well NHS care in the Okehampton area is doing, compared with other areas.
All answers will be completely confidential and will not been seen by local health staff. The trust has appointed independent survey specialists Picker Institute to undertake the task.
Lesley Dunaway, chief executive of Mid Devon Primary Care Trust, said: ?Many patients write to their local NHS trust or doctor to thank them for the services they have received.
?This survey goes into more detail on a variety of topics and will help us see what services patients value and where there is room for improvement or change.
?We very much want patients to share with us their thoughts and this survey is an important part of the new, modern NHS listening to local people.?
For the randomly selected people sent the surveys, there will also be a freephone helpline if they need advice. There will be no personal visits to patients? homes in connection with the survey.
The survey asks questions about GP visits, referrals for further treatment, prescribing medicines, out-of-hours care and dental services.
The survey results will be collated and completed in early May.