Published at 16:28, Tuesday, 26 February 2013

THE public are set to become involved in discussions about the future of South Cumbria’s health services.

It comes as an ongoing review of services provided by the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Furness General Hospital, moves into its next stages.

Independent researchers are set to start contacting community groups, voluntary organisations, NHS staff, clinicians and members of the public over the coming weeks, to ask them for their views.

UHMBT is working with Cumbria and Lancashire’s Clinical Commissioning Groups to look at how services should be provided in the future.

The trust needs to save £50m over the next five years and the “Better Care Together” project partly aims to address this.

The feedback gathered over the coming weeks will be given to local health professionals, who will then develop a set of possible options. A formal consultation process looking at those proposals will take place in late summer or autumn.

Dr Hugh Reeve, a South Cumbria GP clinical chair for Cumbria CCG, said: “It’s important to us that these are not decisions which we want to make alone – it’s everyone’s NHS and everyone’s views count.

“It is, however, important that we listen to everyone and that all options are developed as a result of everyone’s views balanced with the clinical process, which has to assess which options are deliverable and most importantly, safe.”

UHMBT medical director, George Nasmyth, added: “It is vital that we hear from as many people as possible.

“I would urge anyone approached to get involved.”

Independent research company, TNS BMRB, will carry out interviews on the street and via phone, postal and online surveys.

The aim of the overall review is to address increasing pressures on the NHS, which include an ageing population, an increase in the number of people with long-term conditions, more expensive modern treatments and limited finances.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk