Views sought on hospital's future

Plans are already in place to refurbish Derriford Hospital

Thousands of people in the South West are being surveyed about how they expect Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust to develop over the next few years.

Patients' representatives, hospital staff and members of local communities are all being asked for their input.

The trust is already working on major changes as part of the £300m Vanguard project, which is due to start in 2007.

A new planned care centre is to be developed, and Derriford Hospital is being completely refurbished.

Residents' panels

The new strategy document, which the current survey is helping to shape, will outline the trust's values and vision for the next five years.

Surveys are currently being distributed to residents' panels in Devon, 1,600 are being sent out in Plymouth, and just over half that number are being sent to people in west Devon and the South Hams.

Residents of north and east Cornwall are also being surveyed.

Analysis of the results will begin in about two weeks.

The Vanguard project will provide an extra 300 beds to help ease the overcrowding problems at Derriford Hospital.