A TASK group set up to monitor improvements to Wiltshire's ambulance service has appealed for members of the public to come forward with their views.

Concerns about ambulance response times, the service's capacity to reach rural areas and performance prompted the creation of the group.

Representatives from Wiltshire County Council and Kennet and North Wiltshire district councils make up the five-strong panel, which will report back by the end of the year.

The group has pledged to review all evidence in an objective and collaborative way and will interview witnesses including the ambulance trust chief executive Tim Skelton, health groups, patient representatives and front-line staff.

The group's findings will also be sent on to the Department of Health which is carrying out a national review of the Ambulance Service.

Mr Skelton met the county council's health overview and scrutiny committee recently to discuss progress but councillors felt a task group was needed to review the situation.

Wiltshire's ambulance trust received zero stars in Healthcare Commission ratings published this summer.

Anyone who would like to comment is asked to contact Jo Naylor, health scrutiny officer at Wiltshire County Council, on (01225) 713004, fax (01225) 713099 or email jonaylor@wiltshire.gov.uk by September 3.