Local people can find out all about the state of NHS health care in the county at a series of events hosted by Dorset CCG in December. The events have been organised as part of the major review of NHS services being carried out by the CCG, the organisation responsible for planning and funding healthcare in Dorset.

The aim of the review, which was launched in October, is to ensure that everybody in Dorset has access to safe, high-quality health care, which makes the most of clinical advances and best practice, while being sustainable and affordable in the long-term. The review grew out of last summer’s Big Ask, a huge survey when the public was asked to tell us about their experiences of the NHS, what works well and what they thought needs to be changed.

The review has been gathering evidence which gives a detailed picture of NHS care in Dorset – everything from numbers of treatments and procedures provided for patients, predicted demand in the future, financial information and patients’ views and experiences. This evidence has been compiled into a ‘Case for Change’, setting out where there are challenges with current provision, and why local service provision needs to change in the future.

GPs and other clinicians will be using this evidence to consider what changes could be made to health services. However, no changes will be made without a full public consultation, which will take place in the summer of 2015.

Dr Forbes Watson, Chair of NHS Dorset CCG, the organisation leading the Review, said:

“I hope local people will take the opportunity to come along in December and hear about the evidence we have collected about patients’ needs, clinical performance and finances that demonstrate why changes to current services are essential. People told us what they thought of services in the Big Ask and now we want to show them our evidence about how health care is being delivered in Dorset. We want people to tell us if the Case for Change is clear and understandable, and if there is additional information that we need to consider.”

The three events will be held at:

• The Barrington Centre, Ferndown, BH22 9TH 6pm – 8pm, Monday 8 December 2014,
• The Exchange, Old Market Hill, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1FH 10am – 12pm, Wednesday 10 December 2014
• Herrison Hall, Charlton Down, Dorchester, DT2 9UA 2.30pm – 4.30pm, Thursday 11 December 2014

To book a place at one of the events, please contact: 01305 368900 or email: involve@dorsetccg.nhs.uk

To find out more about Dorset’s Clinical Services Review, visit: www.dorsetsvision.nhs.uk