New provider for health services in the Lyme Regis area

A range of health services in Lyme Regis and Charmouth – including physiotherapy, community nursing, occupational therapy and community care home beds – will be delivered by the NHS from next month.

Dorset HealthCare will take over responsibility from Saturday, 1 June after the contract with existing provider Virgin Care comes to an end on 31 May.

Local people who use community services should not notice any change in how they are provided, and there is nothing they need to do in order to continue to receive their care and support.

Dorset HealthCare was recently rated “good” by the Care Quality Commission, and provides community physical and mental health services for people of all ages across Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole.

Eugine Yafele, Chief Executive of Dorset Healthcare, said:

“We are delighted to be providing community health services for people in Lyme Regis and Charmouth from 1 June.

“We already provide a range of excellent services across West Dorset, and believe the new arrangements will strengthen and improve services for people living in Lyme Regis and the surrounding area.”

A public event about the changes in April was attended by 140 people. Presentations from the event, along with frequently asked questions, are available.

Dr Forbes Watson, local GP and Chair of NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group, said:

“The feedback we had on the event was really positive and we were delighted so many people came along to find out first hand about the changes and have their questions answered. We are encouraging anyone who was unable to attend to visit our website to find out more.”