LAST Monday my wife and I attended a consultation event on the NHS clinical commissioning review at Bridport Town Hall.

Like other locals, we are concerned aboutthe impact of this review on local health services. We were met at the door by two burly gentlemen in suits, whose badges proclaimed that them as security guards. Despite their helpful pretences, it was quite clear that we could not enter the room until they had satisfied themselves we were not ‘troublemakers’.

We found ourselves among limited numbers of local people but it proved virtually impossible to speak to anyone with in-depth knowledge. The CCG representatives we did speak to preferred to direct us to a short and bland film presentation and various display boards. The whole approach seemed designed to avoid the exchange of views and questioning that would come from an open public meeting.

I would have liked to ask : What exactly do statements that Dorset County Hospital will be ‘largely unchanged’ mean?

How often will local people requiring emergency care be taken to Bournemouth instead of Dorchester? Will the number of ambulances be increased to cover the additional movements of patients?

Will any hospital beds will be closed in south and west Dorset, if so how many?

What is the future of paediatric services and maternity services at Dorset County Hospital ?

The CCG’s review might bring improvements to community services in Bridport but the shift to larger specialist services based in Bournemouth and Poole brings the worry that west Dorset residents will find it more risky and difficult to access urgent and complex treatment.

This so-called consultation process appears to keep the public at arms-length from the issues, which re-enforces my concerns about the future of our local health services.

In recent years NHS and social care funding have not risen in line with need and the challenges faced by hospitals and other services across the country are now severe. There also seems to be a growing shortage of doctors and other health staff. These problems need urgent action nationally and local solutions that are developed in a transparent way.

JOHN WEST

Brit View Road, Bridport

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