NHS Dorset CCG is inviting local people to attend drop-in sessions to find out more about proposals to improve services for those experiencing serious mental illness in the county.

The events take place throughout February and March in venues across the county including in Sherborne, Poole and Bridport.

At the sessions people will be able to find out more about the proposals and get their questions answered by members of staff who are working on the project.

There will also be an opportunity to view a short film and complete the consultation questionnaire on the day if people wish to do so.

Proposals include:

  • Increasing inpatient beds by 16 so that people can access them earlier and to stop people being  placed out of Dorset
  • The introduction of community front rooms – safe places to go when things start to go wrong, based in familiar settings within the community
  • Creation of Retreats – safe places where people can get the right treatment and support when they need it, located with community mental health teams
  • Improvements to 24/7 crisis telephone line to include a new service called Connection

These options allow people access to places and services at evenings and weekends.

People who are unable to attend the drop-in sessions or would prefer not to attend can view find out more online and have their say via www.dorsetsvision.nhs.uk.

Alternatively paper copies are available by calling 01202 541946 or emailing involve@dorsetccg.nhs.uk

Events take place as follows:

Wednesday 8 February – Bournemouth
Bournemouth Library, BH2 5RQ                                                      11am-6.30pm

Tuesday 14 February – Dorchester
The Corn Exchange, DT1 1HF                                                        11am-5pm

Wednesday 15 February – Wareham
The Corn Exchange, Wareham, BH20 4NS                                     11am-4.45pm
Not Just Sundaes Community Cafe, Wareham, BH20 4LU              4.45pm-6.30pm

Thursday 16 February – Christchurch
Christchurch Library, BH23 1AW                                                      11am-6.30pm

Monday 20 February – Sherborne
Digby Memorial Church Hall, DT9 3NL                                            11am-7pm

Tuesday 21 February – Sturminster Newton
The Exchange, DT10 1FH                                                               11am-7pm

Wednesday 22 February – Poole
St Mary’s Longfleet Church Centre, BH15 2LP                                11am-7pm

Thursday 23 February – Ferndown
The Barrington Centre, BH2 9TH                                                    11am-6.30pm

Friday 24 February – Weymouth
Weymouth Library, DT4 8NN                                                           11am-5pm

Saturday 25 February – Dorchester
The Dorford Centre, DT1 1RR                                                        11am-4pm

Friday 3 March – Bridport
Town Hall, DT6 3HA                                                                       11am-7pm

Monday 6 March- Weymouth
Weymouth Library, DT4 8NN                                                         4pm-6.45pm

Monday 6 March – Wareham
Purbeck Sports Centre, BH20 4PH                                                4pm-7pm

Tuesday 14 March – Boscombe
Shelley Theatre, BH5 1LX                                                            11am-4pm

Friday 17 March – Shaftesbury
Abbey View Medical Centre, SP7 8DH                                         3pm-6.30pm

The Mental Health Acute Care Pathway is outside of the Clinical Services Review, which runs until 28 February 2017.