LOCAL youngsters have been asked what they think of the health service and how it can be improved.

Schoolchildren, college students and youths at drop-in centres have been surveyed to see how the NHS could serve them better.

The questions were posed by young people, and the results will be used to improve services for people aged 13 to 25.

Researchers carried out interviews with 100 people to find out about their health priorities.

Survey organiser Dave Brown said: "We want young people to take on the 'be healthy' message. So we decided the best way was to ask them what they think about local health services and what sort of services they think young people want and will use.

"Lots of schools have agreed to take the questionnaire, so we are going to have good figures and a loud voice."

Youth Rising, which conducted the survey, was set up to provide a voice for young people on health issues.

The results will be announced in September, and health service providers will be notified of them.

July 8, 2002 17:30