17/03/2010

Information on how community partners and members of the public can find out more and share their views about the changing nature of healthcare and the proposed ward and bed changes at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have been published.

The news follows discussions between the Trust, NHS Gloucestershire and the County’s Health, Community and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee to ensure that partners and the public have further opportunities to look at, and discuss, the proposals.

Members of the public will be able to attend Information Drop In events in Gloucester and Cheltenham and residents across the county will also be able to access information and talk to healthcare staff near to where they live.

In support of this, an information booklet is being prepared and will be available at both the Drop In events and on-line at: www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk or www.nhsglos.nhs.uk.

Chief Executive of NHS Gloucestershire, Jan Stubbings said:

“As commissioner of local health services we need to assure ourselves that any changes continue to support timely access to services and deliver high quality care and safe services for patients.”

“We believe it is right to consider future plans alongside advancements in medicine and the changing nature of healthcare and service delivery and we are pleased that community partners and members of the public will have further opportunities to find out more about these specific proposals.”

Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Frank Harsent said:

“We do recognise how important it is that staff, patients, partners and the public have this opportunity to explore and discuss the proposals in greater detail and feedback their views.”

“Patient care is of paramount importance to us and must continue to be the guiding principle as healthcare continues to develop and change over time.”

Chair of the County’s Health, Community and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Cllr Andrew Gravells said:

“We are pleased that a wide ranging process has been agreed to give the public and interested groups a chance to properly scrutinise these proposals.”

“I am also pleased that the drop in events in Gloucester and Cheltenham are being held on a Saturday to allow a greater number of people to express their views. We look forward to receiving the outcome report at our meeting in May.”