Have your say on the future of health and care services in Portland

1st October 2018

People in Portland can have their say on the future of health and care services on the island at a series of public meetings in October.

Dorset HealthCare chief executive Ron Shields is keen to hear local people’s views on what health services are needed and how all organisations can work together to provide them.

Ron said: “In July I met with around 200 people to try and explain why beds at Portland Hospital were going to close. Understandably, many of the people at the meeting were angry and all were sad that this element of the NHS on Portland was to stop.

“I made an unequivocal commitment to start a discussion with people on Portland about how we, together with GPs, councils and other partners, could make sure that Portlanders get the very best services.”

Dorset HealthCare runs a range of services on Portland, including the hospital, mental health, sexual health, health visiting, district nursing, school nursing and other professional services like speech and language therapy, podiatry and occupational therapy.

The beds at Portland Hospital were moved to Westhaven Hospital in Weymouth at the beginning of August following difficulty in securing enough staff to safely operate the ward. A range of services are still based at the hospital.

Ron added: “We are really keen to make sure that the people of Portland are fully involved in developing services that will meet the needs of everyone on the island. Please come along and share your ideas and your views.”

The three planned meetings (shown below) give local people the opportunity to help shape the future of the hospital and discuss the possibility of developing a health and wellbeing community hub on Portland.

  • Monday 22 October, 10am, St John’s Hall, Fortuneswell DT5 1JE
  • Tuesday 23 October, 7.30pm, C2000 Centre, Easton DT5 1HG
  • Wednesday 24 October, 2pm, St Andrew’s Hall DT5 2EQ

Anyone can attend the meetings and can book their place by emailing dhc.communications.team@nhs.net or calling 01202 277085.

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