Healthcare group hosts first public board meeting (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Healthcare group hosts first public board meeting

9:00am Saturday 12th January 2013 in Local By William Tomaney

WYRE Forest residents got the chance to meet the new board in charge of overseeing healthcare provision in the district.

The Clinical Commissioning Group (WFCCG) held its board meeting in public for the first time on Tuesday at Kidderminster Town Hall.

The meeting, led by chairman and Bewdley GP Dr Simon Gates, was attended by members of the public, local councillors and volunteers who had the opportunity to ask questions about health issues in the area.

Among the items discussed was the work undertaken to involve patients and the public.

Board member, Stella Baldwin, said: “There is a huge amount of work now going on in Wyre Forest which is supported by the CCG to ensure patients and the wider public are involved, included and listened to.

“We have also supported a number of schemes locally to help some of our more disadvantaged communities to work together to improve their health.

“Involving younger people is more challenging but the launch of the patient and public involvement membership scheme will aim to reach out to people who can’t always come to a meeting.”

Wyre Forest resident Anne Mace said the meeting had been “interesting and informative”.

“The message that has come across from the people around the table is the commitment and passion to deliver good health services to local people. I look forward to working with the board as a resident of Wyre Forest.”

The body is set to take over responsibility for planning and buying most of the health services needed by people living in the district when it comes out of shadow form in April, as part of the Government’s controversial NHS reforms.

The next public board meeting of WF CCG will be held on Tuesday, February 5, from 9am until noon in the Stourport and Bewdley room at Wyre Forest House, Finepoint Way.