The NHS Herefordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) want to hear people’s experiences of community health and GP services and get their views of how they should be developed in the future.

However, they only informed the Ross Gazette of their intention to hold a public meeting on July 18th in Ross-on-Wye, after the paper had been printed this week. The press release arrived at the Ross Gazette at 6pm on Tuesday, July 11th.

The Ross Gazette believes it is very important members of the public attend this meeting to express their opinions about local health services, to let the CCG knows what is working and what can be improved.

At the meeting of Ross Town Council on Monday, July 10th the Clerk told the Councillors that a meeting was going to be arranged at the Ryefield Centre but details had not been confirmed. Councillor Julian Utting said that more proactive engagement is needed and he hoped it would be a better event than one arranged at Ross Community Hospital earlier this year.

Dr Ian Tait, GP and Chair of NHS Herefordshire CCG, said: “You will know that NHS services are under significant pressure and as such we need to ensure that our resources are used effectively, providing the best possible care for people across Herefordshire.

“Having the views of as many people as possible will help when we come to shape health services in the future.

“It’s also important to know that no decisions have been made and no models, plans or proposals are being presented, this is about listening to our patients.”

The Ross-on-Wye meeting is the first in a series of six, these are as follows:

* 18th July, Ross-on-Wye - 10am at the Ryefield Centre, Grammar School Close, HR9 7QD

* 25th July, Ledbury - 3pm at Burgage Hall, Church Lane, HR8 1DW

* 27th July, Kington - 10am at the Old Police Station, Market Hall Street, Kington, HR5 3DP

* 1st August, Leominster - 1pm at Grange Court, Pinsley Road, HR6 8NL

* 2nd August, Bromyard - 10am at The Hope Centre, Hereford Road, HR7 4QU

* 2nd August, Hereford - 3pm at Hereford Town Hall, St Owen Street, HR1 2PL

Dr Tait added: “I understand that these events are being held in market towns, but I would encourage people living in more rural areas to come and take part, everyone’s view is important.”

These events are part of a wider programme of public engagement where the results will be used to inform CCG proposals for the future model of community provision and any subsequent consultation relating to these proposals.

More information can be found at www.herefordshireccg.nhs.uk