A WIDE-RANGING review of health-related issues is to be carried out in Ryedale by the district council.

Members of the authority's overview and scrutiny committee agreed that the comprehensive probe, to be carried out in the next 12 months, would investigate council services relating to issues like food safety, health and safety, pest control, homelessness, unfitness, disabled facilities, pollution control and water sampling.

Committee chairman, Coun Debbie Aubrook, said the study would be in line with Ryedale's community plan for its residents, and she believed it was particularly appropriate to do it now with the threat to the maternity service at Malton Hospital.

"It is timely that we should look at ways of improving health in the district," said Coun Aubrook.

The review, part of the on-going best value studies being carried out by the council, would encompass the authority's involvement in recreation and environmental services, she said.

Phil Hancock, the council's performance manager, said it was appropriate to look at what the council contributes to the health of the district because of the new Health and Social Care Act.

A "mystery shopper" survey carried out at the authority's headquarters at Ryedale House showed that staff were rated highly in their response to the public. Overall, some 50 per cent of people ranked the staff as "very helpful" and a further 29 per cent said they were "helpful".

"The results in terms of satisfaction were very positive," said Mr Hancock.

"Not one of the callers was dissatisfied with the service and information they received," he said. However, the local plans and revenue departments did not receive any "very satisfied" comments.

Updated: 09:55 Tuesday, March 25, 2003