Patients in Bradford and Airedale are being asked their views on their local health services as part of a national survey.

The patient survey programme is led by the Healthcare Commission and up to 3,000 patients have been randomly selected to receive the questionnaire which is being sent out this week.

It gives patients the chance to have their say on services provided by family doctors and give their views on dental services and health promotion.

Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust plans to use this feedback to improve patients' experience.

Lynne Hollingsworth, head of primary care service development at the tPCT, said: "We hope that our patients will take the time to help us with this survey. Their views are vital in helping us to find out how we are doing and how we can improve."

At the same time the tPCT is keen to let people know what they can expect from their local GP practice.

It has launched an information campaign to tell patients the following facts:

if you are happy to be seen by any doctor in the practice you should be able to get an appointment within two working days

you should be able to book an appointment more than two days ahead

if you are happy to wait, you should be able to book an appointment with the doctor of your choice

if your doctor refers you to hospital you will be offered a choice of where to go

if you can't keep your appointment, cancel it and let someone else take your place.