8/11/2005

What do you expect from your local health services? Are you happy with your local arrangements or do you think that things could be improved? How can health services in Tewkesbury be developed to meet the needs of its growing population?

Over the next couple of months Tewkesbury residents will have the opportunity to voice their opinions about health services in the area. Tomorrow's Health: Tewkesbury is an initiative being run by Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Primary Care Trust. It will look at ways to develop and expand services in Tewkesbury to meet the changing needs of the local population. Paul Edwards, PCT Director of Service Provision and Chair of the Review Steering Group, said: "Our aim is to ensure that Tewkesbury has a robust health service, which will be able to cope with the expected growth of Tewkesbury over the next 15 - 20 years."

Dr Stuart Hutchison, GP from Jesmond House Practice and a Member of the Review Steering Group, said "The three GP surgeries in Tewkesbury are working with more patients than ever. We have all looked at ways in which we can expand our services, but are now limited by the buildings and locations in which we are operating".

With the population of Tewkesbury set to rise by a further 20,000 by 2021, significant changes are required to ensure that all residents will have access to the health services they will need. The PCT also recognises that Tewkesbury Hospital has the capacity to extend the services it offers and is taking this opportunity to look at ways to develop the hospital. "This is an exciting opportunity for Tewkesbury Hospital" says Paul Sinnott, Treasurer of Tewkesbury Hospital League of Friends. "It would be great for Tewkesbury residents to have an extended range of facilities on their doorstep. I am working with the PCT as part of the Steering Group to oversee this initiative."

During November and early December, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury PCT is holding a series of events around Tewkesbury giving people the opportunity to take part in discussions about the future of health services in area. Feedback from these events will be pulled together during January and options for the future presented to the PCT Board soon after. A formal consultation period focussing on the agreed proposals for Tewkesbury will then follow.

Chris Donald, Chair of Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Forum, one of two Forum Members actively involved on the Review Steering Group, welcomed the opportunity for residents to be involved in early discussions. "Its good to see the PCT are involving people in all stages of the review. These events will give people the chance to play a real part in building future services. I would encourage people to go along and get involved".

Events are being held on:

Friday, 11th Nov
Youth Centre, Priors Park
10.00am - 12.00pm

Friday, 18th Nov
Ray Shill Building, Northway
10.00am - 12.00pm

Thursday, 24th Nov
Wheatpieces, Walton Cardiff
2.00pm - 4.00pm

Friday, 25th Nov
Ann Townend Hall, Twyning
2.00pm - 4.00pm

Saturday, 3rd Dec
Methodist Church Hall, Tewkesbury
10.00am - 12.00pm

There will also be an informal drop-in session on Saturday 3rd December, at the Methodist Church Hall, Tewkesbury between 12.00pm and 2.00pm. For further information please contact: Anne Brierley, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury PCT, telephone: 01242 548800