INSPECTORS are set to visit Bucks hospitals from today as a probe into high death rates is ramped up.

Investigators described as a 'rapid review team' are set for a three day visit during which they will go to the hospitals and talk to staff and patients.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, which manages Stoke Mandeville, Wycombe and Amersham hospitals, is one of 14 hospital trusts across England being scrutinised as part of a major national review.

It comes in the wake of a report into catastrophic failures at Mid-Staffordshire Hospitals.

Residents in Bucks will be able to become involved in the process by attending two public meetings announced this week.

The public will have a chance to have their say at the National Quality Review events, although the Bucks Free Press and all other media have been banned from reporting on the meetings.

Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, medical director of the NHS, who is heading up the review, has appealed for patients and staff to share their experiences. He said: "I hope everyone, as a user or potential patient of the NHS and your local hospital, will get involved with my review of mortality rates."

Bucks Healthcare spokesman Sarah Hills said: "The trust welcomes the opportunity to work with the rapid response review team to identify any additional actions, over and above those that have already been taken locally, which can be taken to further improve on quality and the safety of care and treatment.

"The Trust has already made a great deal of progressing in steadily reducing its mortality rates over the past three years and is keen to work with the review team to ensure patients continue to have confidence in the services and care provided to them.

"This is your opportunity to find out about the review and to share your experiences of care received from Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust - good and bad - and tell the review team where you would like to see improvements."

The meetings take place today at 6pm in the Occulus Room, The Gateway, Aylesbury Vale District Council, Gatehouse Road Aylesbury and tomorrow, from 6pm in the Hampden Lecture Theatre, Education Centre, Wycombe Hospital, Alexandra Road, High Wycombe.

Booking is required to confirm attendance. Call 01494 734835 or email listeningevents@buckshealthcare.nhs.uk For more information about the Keogh mortality review visit: www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/bruce-keogh-review.