keith.williams

People holidaying in Dorset are being encouraged to find out where they can get urgent care if they need it and make the right choice to help both themselves and local NHS organisations. Sue Sutton, Deputy Director of Urgent Care with NHS Dorset CCG said “We often hear of emergency departments being used where treatment could have been provided elsewhere, for example ordering a repeat prescription or cleaning minor grazes. We do fully understand that any medical concern can be considered an emergency to that individual and that is why we have a number of services that can help in these [...]

We would like to clarify that whilst we do commission emergency ambulance services in Dorset from SWASFT, we do not specify the response vehicle type by location. We have no involvement with the decision about the future of the paramedic bikes that operate in Weymouth; therefore, any suggestion that we are trying to remove the service is inaccurate. The provider of emergency services – in this case SWASFT – would choose how to best respond to an emergency call; this would also include the type of vehicle used.

Today saw the handover of the new Lifeboat Quay Medical Centre to the team from Carlisle House Surgery. From 2 September Lifeboat Quay Medical Centre will be the new home for Dr Nelms and partners. The new practice will have up to 84 parking spaces and allocated spaces for disabled patients will mean improved access for those attending appointments by car. There is also a bus stop just 100m away for patients who are using public transport. A recent open event in Poole gave patients the opportunity to have a look at the plans and have their questions answered. [...]

North Dorset CCG Locality is pleased to advise patients that, following the new GP contract requirement, three Primary Care Networks have been agreed within North Dorset. This is essentially business as usual, as practices are already working closely with local partners focused around the three community hubs. The three Networks consist of: The Sherborne Area Network: Yetminster Health Centre, the Apples Medical Centre and the Grove Medical Centre (following the merger of Bute House and Newland surgeries) working with community and voluntary sector teams based at the Yeatman Hospital; The Vale Network: Blackmore Vale Partnership and Gillingham Medical Practice working with [...]

  Local councils and NHS services are working together in what’s called an Integrated Care System (ICS) ‘Our Dorset’. Part of this is having a shared plan setting out our priorities over the next few years. We’d like to know what in our plans is most important to you, and where we should focus our efforts. Have your say – share your views  

Patients registered with the Alma Medical Centre in Bournemouth are set to benefit from a refurbishment of the practice over the coming months. The work will take place between 13 September and 1 October when it will open with a new name – Winton Health Centre. During the refurbishment work, patients will be offered appointments at neighbouring Network practices (Westbourne Medical Centre, Denmark Road Medical Centre and Leybourne Surgery) – with transport provided should there be a medical need. Appointments can be booked using the existing Alma Medical Centre phone number and online services. The refurbishment period provides an opportunity for [...]

Wednesday 10 July saw around over 60 people attend our AGM at the Hamworthy Club in Wimborne. If you were unable to make it or did attend and would like to re-visit the event please follow the links below: Presentations About us video Our annual report and accounts Our annual report on Public and Patient Participation  

NHS partners have today launched a campaign to encourage people holidaying in and around Dorset to find the best place to get treatment should they need it. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the different options available when people need care and where they can best be treated. Choosing the right care can help people be seen quicker and can help ease pressure on local services, ensuring urgent care is available for those people most in need. As part of the campaign, Stay Well postcards are being distributed to local accommodation venues which give details of what is available [...]

We hope that the decision reached in the Court of Appeal today will reassure people that we acted properly in reaching the decisions which will see improved services for people living in and around Dorset. During 2018 the High Court dismissed all claims brought as part of the judicial review which was a right and proper process but involved considerable cost to the publicly-funded NHS. We are pleased that the court has upheld this judgement. The decision will now allow the planned improvements to health and care services in Dorset to be implemented without unnecessary delay or additional legal costs. The [...]

Dorset Council along with NHS partners, co-hosted a stakeholder event this week to show options for new health, care and housing facilities on the Wareham middle school site. This initiative is part of Dorset Council’s Building Better Lives scheme, which aims to use council-owned land to develop much-needed new housing and services for local communities. Dorset Council has worked in partnership with Wareham Town Council, Dorset HealthCare and Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group to develop this project. Find out more.