Hospital users are being asked their views on services at Whipps Cross University Hospital as part of an inspection of the trust which runs it.

Chief Inspector of Hospitals at the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Sir Mike Richards, has invited the public to a meeting at 6.30pm on November 11 at Harmony Hall, in Truro Road, Walthamstow, as part of a new approach to assessments.

Whipps Cross is one of six hospitals owned by the trust, which is the largest in the country, and is around £40million in debt.

Sir Mike said: "The new inspections are designed to provide people with a clear picture of the quality of the services in their local hospital, exposing poor or mediocre care as well as highlighting the many hospitals providing good and excellent care.

"We know there is too much variation in quality – these new in-depth inspections will allow us to get a much more detailed picture of care in hospitals than ever before.

"Of course we will be talking to doctors and nurses, hospital managers and patients.

“But it is vital that we also hear the views of the people who have received care at the trust, or anyone who wants to share information with us.

“This will help us plan our inspection, and so help us focus on the things that really matter to people who depend on this service.

"This is your opportunity to tell the team what you think, and make a difference to the NHS services in the local area."