BY JACK WELCH

IT may seem a while back, but try to recall the start of the clinical services review across Dorset.

I even wrote last year in this column about the process of getting ready for the public consultation.

Recent headlines about the proposed changes to the acute hospitals in Bournemouth and Poole and services they will provide has stirred plenty of emotion amongst people.

This is at least a healthy sign that, when the consultation does happen, there will likely be strong participation of ideas and experiences.

As a member of the CCG’s Patient and Public Engagement Group, which helps to advise in a non-biased and objective capacity, I know there have been great efforts already to gather as many views from the public as possible.

In March and April, nine events were held in Dorset with 339 people attending to speak about their community services.

With well over 2,100 pieces of feedback given, it is fair to say those people who have decision making responsibility will be listening to our views.

In autumn last year too, two events were held specifically for young people under 18 to ensure they could have a say on what matters to them.

The job is not over yet though, as throughout this month, a mobile roadshow will be touring around Dorset to gather views from people in the street.

For more information about where and when the roadshow might be near you, visit www.dorsetsvision.nhs.uk.