If you would like to find out more about how you can get the treatment you need without the wait, then there is the opportunity to meet Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre team members at this weekend's Mid Somerset Show.

Experts from the hospital will be on hand to explain how you can exercise your rights as an NHS patient by choosing the hospital where you are treated, and swapping to a hospital with a shorter waiting list if you have been told you must wait longer than 18 weeks.

They will be able to tell you about NHS and self-pay options – the latter up to 30 per cent cheaper than traditional private health care costs and designed to offer further choice and treatment faster, at a time convenient to you.

As well as talking about patient choice, team members from Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre will be offering free blood pressure checks and goodie bags.

As part of its support of charity Bowel Cancer UK, the hospital is also including information about the condition on its exhibition stand and running a fun photographic competition where people can photograph themselves in a cut-out of a doctor and nurse. The winner will receive a £50 shopping voucher.

Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre is a Gold Sponsor of the Mid Somerset Show.