Come and meet the 'PCT People' - PCT Annual Exhibition and Meeting next week

09/09/04






Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Primary Care Trust (PCT) is holding its second Annual Meeting on Wednesday 15 September 2004 at Cheltenham Town Hall. The PCT's Annual Report and Accounts will be presented at the Annual Meeting in the evening (6.30 pm), following an afternoon of involvement activities and an exhibition from 2.00 - 6.00 pm.

Caroline Fowles, PCT Chief Executive, explained:
"The PCT's Annual Meeting will be a little bit different this year! We've decided to combine the Annual Meeting with an Exhibition and Involvement events, showcasing information about local healthcare and voluntary services, as well as hosting consultation events to seek people's views and opinions about local services."

PCT People
This will be a first chance to find out about the 'PCT People'. They are a group of four fictional characters, who have lifestyles and conditions typical of people living in and around Cheltenham and Tewkesbury. Their stories are told in the Annual Report and as part of the Exhibition.

Caroline Fowles, PCT Chief Executive, continued:
"We feel that these individual's stories will give the public an insight into some of the work the PCT, its staff and partners have done this year. It would be difficult to attribute too many situations to just four individuals, so we plan to add to our cast of 'characters' over the next year in order to present an even fuller picture of what we do.

"Many staff and partners have been involved in describing the first four 'PCT People': William, Leanne, John and Sally, and agree that using the 'characters' enables us to illustrate what we can now do, in a more coordinated and proactive way, to advise, support and help local people with their health and healthcare needs."

Further Information
Exhibition
The Exhibition will be open from 2.00 - 6.00pm and will include:

. Health Promotion and Information - are you eating enough fruit and vegetables?
. Health Visitor services and quizzes - just how many footsteps are there between the Town Hall and the Hare and Minotaur sculpture on the Promenade?
. Podiatry - footcare and shoe fitting advice - are your feet comfortable?
. Nurse 'healthchecks' - Do you know your blood pressure? Why not come along for a free pressure check!

Involvement
During the afternoon you will have the opportunity to 'have your say' about local NHS services. 'Get involved in Gloucestershire' encourages local people to express their views and opinions. The Patient Advice and Liaison Service and PCT staff, will be on hand all afternoon to hear your comments and suggestions.

The NHS in Gloucestershire has now issued proposals for Children's and Maternity Services (Consultation launched on 7 September 2004). As the PCT had already planned to hold its Annual Meeting on the 15 September, we thought this would be a good opportunity to hold two extra small-scale consultation meetings. There will be two sessions in the afternoon of the 15th , in the Pillar Room at the Town Hall, to discuss the proposals (booking is essential as places limited in the Pillar Room, call 01242 242156). Our main consultation event in Cheltenham will be on 4 October 2004 at Cheltenham Town Hall, Main Hall at 6.30pm. Other consultation sessions are planned across the county in October and November.

Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting will commence at 6.30 pm with the presentation of
the 'Annual Report and Accounts 2003/04'