HEALTH issues are in the spotlight next week as another Wear Valley group takes up the challenge to influence improvements in the district's dismal record.

The Wear Valley Community Network is calling people to a meeting on Wednesday that could affect future decisions on services.

Pioneering organisations like the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust are already leading efforts to promote exercise and healthy living.

The trust has teamed up with The Northern Echo, Wear Valley District Council and Northumbrian Water through a campaign called A Chance to Live, which has been praised by Health Secretary John Reid.

Speakers at the meeting are the trust's chief executive Andrew Kenworthy, director of nursing Christina Hawarth, IT manager Shirley Chambers and public health director Dr David Landes.

Feedback from follow up discussions will help to influence the trust's future policies.

John Kirkby, chairman of the community network, urged people to add their voices to the health debate He said: "This is a huge opportunity to put the spotlight on health issues in the district, which are very important to us all.

"We have organised the event and invited the top people from the PCT to give people the opportunity to ask the questions they want and raise issues they want to talk about.

"The future of Homelands Hospital is on the agenda and we know people are concerned about that.

"This gives them the chance to make their views clear."

Other topics are the Durham Dales PCT investment and strategy for health, the future of information technology and patients records and public health and inequalities.

People planning to attend the meeting, which is in the Four Clocks Centre, Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, at 6pm, on Wednesday, should contact Community Network Organiser David Craggs at 2D, in Crook Business Centre, telephone (01388) 762220.

Michele Armstrong, 2D's chief officer, said: "The Government's agenda these days is 'bottom up' and people at grassroots level are told that their views will influence the policy makers and decision makers.

"This is why meetings like this are important."