RESIDENTS across the Fylde Coast are invited to have their say on the future of the area's hospital services.

Health Minister Lord Philip Hunt has approved a seven-week period of public consultation on proposals to form a new hospital trust for the Fylde.

If approved, the new NHS trust would replace the two existing ones -- Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust and Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Community Health Services Trust.

The new single body would be called Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals NHS Trust and would provide its services from a number of locations including the Victoria, Clifton Hospital, Devonshire Road Hospital, Fleetwood Hospital, Lytham Hospital, South Shore Hospital, Blenheim House Child Development Centre and the three elderly rehabilitation hospitals at Rossall, Wesham and Bispham.

A consultation document giving the proposals in detail is being circulated across the Fylde, and a series of meetings and roadshows will be held during the consultation period to keep hospital staff and the public informed of the proposed changes.

The public meetings will be: January 7 at 7pm in the Marine Hall, Fleetwood; January 17 at 7pm in Blackpool Town Hall; January 21 at 7pm in Lytham Assembly Rooms; January 29 at 7pm in Wyre Civic Centre, Poulton.