A PATIENTS panel for Whipps Cross University Hospital is appealing for members of ethnic communities and young people to have their say.

The hospital's Patient and Public Involvement Forum (PPFI) is currently made up of ten members. Chairman of the PPFI Paul Marlow explained that the panel did not have any members of ethnic backgrounds or any from younger age groups.

Mr Marlow said: "The forum gives people the chance to have their say on the services provided by the hospital and there are parts of the community that aren't represented. We would like to have more members from all sections of the community so the forum can reflect their views."

The forum meets once a month and members generally commit around two to three hours of their time per week to the role.

Members must be aged 16 and above and will go through a formal application process.

Anyone who is interested in finding out more or who would like to apply for a position on the forum should contact the Commission for Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisation at Broadman House, 64 Broadway, Stratford, London E15 1NG or by calling 020 8432 0033.