GROUPS of doctors, nurses and patients will take part in two summit meetings in the region today - marking the first step in what is expected to be a wide-ranging review of NHS services.

The meetings, organised by the North-East Strategic Health Authority (SHA) in Newcastle and the Yorkshire and the Humber Strategic Health Authority, in York, will coincide with similar events all over England.

Speakers in the region will be able to make contributions to the national debate through inter-active technology.

The main themes of the review - known as Our NHS, Our Future - will be on improving quality and safety, improving patient access to services and reducing inequalities.

It is expected that a number of recommendations from the regional groups will go out for consultation from January.

So-called Clinical Pathway Groups in each SHA have been set up to look at ways of improving the way the NHS operates in eight distinct areas.

These include maternity and newborn care; staying healthy; children's services; planned care; acute care; mental health; long-term conditions and end-of-life care.

The meetings will also allow patients and service users to have their say. A second meeting will be arranged in December with members of the clinical pathway groups to consider conclusions.

Nationally the review is due to deliver formal recommendations to the Government about the future of the NHS in June next year.