BOSSES at Dorset County Hospital have had their say on a major public consultation that will shape the future of local health services.

The NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is currently consulting on its Clinical Services Review, which outlines a number of proposals for a shake-up of health services in the county.

With the consultation in full swing, the board at the Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said it felt it was important to state it's position publicly.

It said it supports the 'case for change' outlined in the Clinical Services Review (CSR) and urged the public to get involved in the consultation.

The board also suggested that when it came to the future of maternity and paediatric services, which has been the focus of much of the local campaigning, its preference was to collaborate with Yeovil District Hospital.

The board statement said: "The NHS is facing rising and unsustainable costs to meet increasing demand, while trying to improve the quality and consistency of care and health outcomes.

"The CSR offers an opportunity to ensure the people of Dorset continue to receive safe and high quality health services.

"We support this approach to change which has been driven by evidence, clinical leadership and practicality."

The statement added: "We welcome the proposed designation for Dorset County Hospital as the ‘planned care and emergency hospital with 24/7 A&E’ as we believe this is best for our local population.

"This means we will continue to provide the district general hospital services we currently deliver to our patients under the CSR proposals.

"However, this proposed designation would not mean ‘no change’ at DCH. Our own strategy is clear that rising demand on our services coupled with stretched resources mean we cannot carry on doing things the way we have always done.

"Regarding the options for paediatrics and maternity, our preferred solution for providing a sustainable and safe service for women and children is to work with Yeovil District Hospital.

"The CSR is an opportunity to ensure these services are organised in the most sustainable way for the future which best meets the needs of the local population. A collaboration between DCH and YDH has long been viewed as a desirable outcome by clinicians at DCH.

"Our consultant paediatricians and obstetricians will continue to work with their colleagues in Yeovil on the best possible solution for the local population."

The Dorchester hospital said it accepted the CCG's preferred option for Bournemouth as the major emergency centre in the east of the county, but believed both Bournemouth and Poole were possible options.

The board said it welcomed the move to "more joined up services" and was already working closely with community and primary care partners.

For more information about the Clinical Services Review consultation visit csr.dorsetsvision.nhs.uk