Bradford people are being urged to comment on a new blueprint showing how healthcare in the region will be improved.

The NHS in Yorkshire and The Humber wants local people to give their ideas on ways to improve the service.

The blueprint includes plans to treat almost 25,000 more in-patients and 32,000 more out-patients in 2007/08 than in 2006/07.

By March 2008 at least 85 per cent of patients who are admitted to hospital for treatment, and 90 per cent whose treatment does not need hospital admission, will wait no more than 18 weeks from referral to treatment.

In 2007/08 the region's NHS is planning for 38,949 people to stop smoking with the help of the NHS. This will represent nearly 950 quitters per 100,000 population.

The blueprint expects hospital-acquired infections to continue to decrease during 2007/08. From April 2008 there will be, on average, fewer than one MRSA infection per day in the NHS in Yorkshire and the Humber. This is less than half the rate of infections in 2003/04 when there were more than two infections per day on average.

Approximately 7,000 people each month attend sexual health clinics. From April 2008 every person attending a clinic will be offered an appointment within 48 hours of first contacting the service, compared to 42 per cent who were offered appointments within 48 hours in August 2005 In 2007/08 13,666 drugs misusers are planned to receive a continuous period of treatment of at least 12 weeks - 28 per cent more than in 2004/05.

By the end of 2007/08 there will be more than 400 community matrons and other case managers, compared with fewer than ten at the beginning of 2004/05. They will manage the care of patients with complex long-term conditions and minimise unnecessary emergency admissions to hospital.

Margaret Edwards, Chief Executive of NHS Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "The Yorkshire and Humber Health Blueprint outlines some of these future challenges. I'd like to hear what you think about our plans for the future of health and healthcare in the region."

To see the blueprint check out the NHS website at www.yorksandhumber.nhs.uk and click under "publications" or call (0113) 2952148 and ask for a copy.