Join the conversation about health services on Portland

A series of public meetings have been announced to discuss the development of health and care services on Portland.

Local people are invited to ten discussion events, starting on Monday, 17 December, and running through until July next year.

Organised by Dorset HealthCare, the meetings aim to gather views on what services are needed on the island, and how they can best be delivered.

Voluntary groups, community organisations, councillors, GPs and residents are all urged to attend and join the discussion.

Dorset HealthCare chief executive Ron Shields hosted three public meetings on the island in October, following the transfer of beds from Portland Hospital to Weymouth’s Westhaven Hospital due to difficulties in recruiting staff.

However, the Trust continues to deliver a wide range of services at the hospital and out in the local community, and the new meetings will bring together views on how these should be provided in the future.

Ron said: “We are very keen to make sure that Portlanders 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 meetings will take place on:

• Monday 17 December, 2-4pm – C2000 Centre, Easton
• Wednesday 19 December, 7.30-9.30pm – St John’s Hall, Fortuneswell
• Tuesday 29 January, 2-4pm – Physio gym, Portland Hospital
• Wednesday 30 January 7.30-9.30pm – Physio gym, Portland Hospital
• Wednesday 13 March, 2-4pm – Physio gym, Portland Hospital
• Thursday 14 March, 7.30-9.30pm – Physio gym, Portland Hospital
• Tuesday 21 May, 2-4pm – Physio gym, Portland Hospital
• Wednesday 22 May, 7.30-9.30pm – Physio gym, Portland Hospital
• Wednesday 17 July, 2-4pm – Physio gym, Portland Hospital
• Thursday 18 July, 7.30-9.30pm – Physio gym, Portland Hospital

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