MORE than 100 people from Ryedale attended Ryedale Forum for Older People's second annual Citizens' Briefing.

The aim of the briefing, held at Pickering Memorial Hall, was to inform older people about developments in the public services and any changes in public policy that are likely to have a direct effect on their lives.

The event, which was co-hosted by Ryedale University of the Third Age, attracted people from all over Ryedale and drew in guests from Older Peoples' Forums in Whitby and Scarborough.

This year's topics included an update on the progress of Scarborough Whitby Ryedale Primary Care Trust (PCT) since it was established 18 months ago.

Chief executive, Michael Whitworth emphasised the PCT's aim of delivering high-quality services as close as possible to where patients lived. He underlined the importance of further strengthening local primary and community health services and developing the role of the community hospitals in Whitby and Malton.

He said Ryedale residents were among the healthiest and longest-lived anywhere in the country, but there were real concerns about maintaining this record when obesity, and the health problems associated with it, were affecting an increasing number of younger people.

Public and patient involvement with the NHS was another theme of the Citizens' Briefing.

Patients Forums, attached to all local NHS Trusts, will shortly take over from the local Community Health Council. Their job will be to monitor the work of the PCT, Scarborough Hospital Trust, the Mental Health Trust and the Ambulance Service and make sure the needs and views of patients are clearly voiced.

Mick Haigh, development officer for the newly-created forums, urged older people to apply to join a forum or become a member of one of the Our Health networks which will support the work of the forums.

Pauline Wardman, pensions service delivery manager described the new system of pensions credits.

Ana Richards and Terry Triffit from Safer Ryedale, Ryedale's Community Safety Partnership, highlighted the risk to older people of doorstep crime.

The briefing also included a brisk health walk and a half-hour session of seated Yoga.

Updated: 10:49 Monday, November 24, 2003