'TALK to us' is the message from Bolton's health chiefs with a new campaign urging patients to speak about their NHS experiences.

To mark the launch of the 'Let's Make It' initiative, experts from the town's Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) parked a campervan – complete with Big Brother-style diary room – in Victoria Square.

Residents were encouraged to jump on board and record videos about their opinions of Bolton’s healthcare as part of a drive to get people interacting with the CCG.

Bosses are also keen to harness the internet – using social media and online forums – so patients can share their experiences in a more informal way.

The CCG’s chief officer, Su Long, was on hand with chairman Dr Wirin Bhatiani to answer questions and said the launch was “the start of something exciting”.

She added: “We are trying to change our approach and how we actually talk to people, to get more residents interested and involved in the town’s health services.

“It is about finding out what local people care about so we can make access to services best for them.

“We know people are talking about the NHS – so we want them to talk to us.”

A soon-to-launch website, letsmakeitbolton.co.uk, will feature a forum where people can share their experiences of treatment in Bolton – with this believed to be the first of its kind in the country.

There will also be new Twitter and Facebook accounts linked to the Let’s Make It campaign so tech-savvy residents can interact with the CCG more easily online.

The idea is for top-down bureaucracy and old-fashioned methods to be replaced with a more informal, friendly approach.

The CCG hopes this will increase the pool of Bolton residents it can consult before important decisions on service changes are made.

Ms Long said: “Contact with the CCG can be tailored depending on the type of services residents use and what they are interested in.

“A lot of CCGs up and down the country have very standard ways of sending out information, but this is a lot more informal.”

The campervan will be parking up in other locations across the borough over the year for residents to give their views and find out more.

Residents can also sign up to the CCG’s Let’s Make It Happen people’s panel – with members receiving news on consultations, invites to events and health information direct from the CCG.