THE public are being encouraged to have their say on how the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust can further improve the services it provides.

The Trust manages Crediton Hospital and a range of community health, social care and specialist services across the area.

It wants Crediton and district residents – as potential service users – to put forward their priorities for improving care over the next year.

The public's feedback will be used to help shape the Trust's Quality Account for 2013/14, which updates people on the ongoing mission to improve services.

The report looks at how the Trust has performed over the previous 12 months and outlines priorities for the future.

The Trust's staff and other stakeholders are also being consulted.

Sarah James, the Trust's head of quality and safety, said: "We are keen to find out what is important to the people of Crediton and what priorities you think we should be focusing on in the year ahead.

"For example, you may think we could do things differently in areas like dementia care, nutrition or reducing pressure ulcers, or maybe we could improve the information we give to people on discharge or our wider communication with patients and families.

"By taking a few minutes to have your say, you can help us make small changes which can eventually make a big difference for patients, families and carers."

The public should email their suggestions to Sarah at: [email protected]">[email protected], call her on 01271 314168 or fill in the online form on the Trust website at: http://www.northdevonhealth.nhs.uk">www.northdevonhealth.nhs.uk .

The Quality Account is due to be published in June and feedback must be received by Friday, February 28, in order for it to be included in further discussions.