The NHS is holding eight public events to discuss potential options for changing hospital and local care services in east Kent.
At these events, between 30 October and 20 November, doctors and other NHS leaders will discuss with local people:
- the benefits change could bring
- how services outside hospitals are developing to maximise the care people get locally
- how the two options for hospital services might affect people across east Kent
- the next steps towards public consultation.
Caroline Selkirk, Managing Director of the four NHS clinical commissioning groups in east Kent*, said: “This is the next step in conversations we’ve been having with staff, patients and the public over recent years about why change is needed to health and care services in east Kent and how services could be improved.
“We have done a great deal to respond to what people in east Kent have told us they need, such as access to more appointments with GPs and nurses, including in the evening and at weekends; joining up care for people with the most complex conditions; and starting to hold more outpatient clinics in local communities.
“We have also been looking in depth at two potential options to improve hospital services in east Kent.
“These informal meetings with local communities, ahead of any formal public consultation next year, are a chance for local people and organisations representing patients to hear more about our work so far, and to help us understand the potential impact of the options we are currently looking at. We want to continue to gather a range of insights on the latest phase of our work. What people tell us will be considered by the joint committee of east Kent clinical commissioning groups, before it decides whether both potential options for changes to hospital services go forward to public consultation.”
If you cannot make it to the events, there will be more information about the proposals added to www.kentandmedway.nhs.uk/eastkent shortly and an online survey will be open from mid-October.
You can register for one of the events online at www.kentandmedway.nhs.uk/eastkent. Alternatively, you can email info.eastkent@nhs.net or call 01622 211940 to reserve a place.
| Date & time | Venue |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 31 October
9.30am registration |
Club Room, Elwick Club, Church Road, Ashford TN23 1RD |
| Thursday 15 November
6.15pm registration |
Holiday Inn (Ashford Central), Canterbury Road, Kennington, Ashford TN24 8QQ |
NHS Ashford Clinical Commissioning Group 04 October 2018
www.ashfordccg.nhs.uk/news/blog/?blogpost=10939