A series of public meetings are being arranged to discuss the development of health and care services on Portland.

It follows the controversial decision to close beds at Portland Hospital as part of a health shake-up.

Ten discussion events will be held, starting on Monday, December 17, 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.

The trust continues to deliver services at the hospital and out in the community, and the new meetings will bring together views on how these should be provided in the future.

Mr Shields 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.”

Anyone can attend the meetings, but you must book a place by emailing dhc.communications.team@nhs.net or call 01202 277085.

The meetings will take place on:

* Monday, December 17, 2pm-4pm – C2000 Centre, Easton

* Wednesday, December 19, 7.30pm-9.30pm – St John’s Hall, Fortuneswell

* Tuesday, January 29, 2pm-4pm – Physio gym, Portland Hospital

* Wednesday, January 30 7.30pm-9.30pm – Physio gym, Portland Hospital

* Wednesday, March 13 2pm-4pm – Physio gym, Portland Hospital

* Thursday, March 14, 7.30pm-9.30pm – Physio gym, Portland Hospital

* Tuesday, May 21, 2pm-4pm – Physio gym, Portland Hospital

* Wednesday, May 22, 7.30pm-9.30pm – Physio gym, Portland Hospital

* Wednesday, July 17, 2pm-4pm – Physio gym, Portland Hospital

* Thursday, July 18 7.30pm-9.30pm – Physio gym, Portland Hospital