NHS Dorset CCG has today published headline responses from the recent consultation on proposed changes to health care.
Independent analysts Opinion Research Services (ORS) have produced the headlines from over 18,500 responses which were submitted during the public consultation on proposed changes to local health care as part of the Clinical Services Review.
The consultation asked for feedback on site specific options for Dorset County, Poole and Royal Bournemouth hospitals, the configuration of maternity and paediatrics, changes to community services and the redistribution of community beds across the county.
Between 1 December 2016 and 28 February 2017, 18,713 questionnaires were submitted along with 245 written submissions. In addition over 1900 people attended drop-in events, 14 focus groups took place and 1005 people took part in telephone surveys.
Dr Forbes Watson, Chair of NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group said “I would personally like to thank all individuals and organisations who took the time to give feedback on our proposals during the public consultation and would like to reassure them that their views will be listened to as we consider any final decisions and recommendations.”
Everyone involved in the Clinical Services Review is aware that people have differing views and the prospect of change can, in some cases be a cause of anxiety for those who use local services. However with the challenges the NHS faces, without making changes people living in and around Dorset will not receive the same high quality services as they currently do.
It is important to understand that these findings are not interpreted as final decisions. The report produced by ORS will inform the final business case, which will be presented to NHS Dorset CCG’s Governing Body in late 2017 to assist them in making final decisions which will then be widely publicised.
Read Improving Dorset’s Healthcare Consultation 2016/17 – Summary Report of Findings (PDF).