THE views of people in the Taunton and Wellington area on the NHS are to be raised in Parliament.

Taunton MP Jeremy Browne is undertaking the biggest survey ever conducted in the area into the future of the NHS.

Tens of thousands of detailed questionnaires will be delivered to homes in the coming weeks.

Mr Browne said: "It's so important that we have top quality health services available in Taunton Deane.

"Musgrove Park Hospital, Wellington Community Hospital, Dene Barton and the many GP surgeries are a vital part of our community.

"I'm very concerned about the financial pressures facing the NHS.

"I want local people to have the best quality health care for themselves and their families.

"That means making sure that the money gets to frontline services and isn't wasted."

Mr Browne is asking people for their views on issues such as waiting times, dentistry, patient care, hospital food, MRSA, mixed sex wards and nurses' pay.

He added: "I'll then be taking up the issues raised by local residents when I speak in the House of Commons to make sure that local NHS services really deliver for everyone in our community."