VOLUNTEERS are wanted to represent NHS patients' interests in Huddersfield.

A new patient and public involvement forum is to be established by next year.

It will give patients a chance to say where health services are failing and what improvements they would like.

It will be part of a network of organisations being set up to replace community health councils.

But Wakefield Labour MP David Hinchliffe, the Commons Health Committee chairman, whose constituency covers Kirkburton and Denby Dale, says the arrangements are "complex and confusing".

His committee also says patients will be confused.

The campaign to find volunteers for patients' forums was launched yesterday by the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health.

Those who sign up will be among more than 4,500 people from across England to join a network of nearly 600 groups.

They will be able to make checks on the standard of health services and provide public influence in NHS decision-making.

Forum members will also find out what people in their community think about local health care and be a force for change.

A commission spokeswoman said: "The forums present a unique opportunity to put the public at the centre of health and to reform the whole culture of health care.

"We're standing by to receive large numbers of applications from all sections of the community who want to be members."

The commission is running a major advertising campaign, using posters on public transport and in GPs' surgeries and chemists' shops.

Patient Advice and Liaison Services are also being set up to help with complaints.

But the new NHS foundation trusts will use another system.

* People interested in joining a forum should phone 0845 120 7115 for an application pack or visit www.maketimeforhealth.org