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From 1 July 2019, booking for NEPTS in Dorset will be handled by the NHS Patient Transport Advice Centre (PTAC). This means that from this date people requesting transport will need to call a new number 01278 727457. Callers to PTAC will have their needs assessed by a member of the team and - if eligible - transport will be arranged via the existing provider, E-Zec. If the caller is not eligible, PTAC will signpost them to other appropriate alternative services such as voluntary car schemes, community transport schemes, public and private transport, whichever best meets their needs.  Healthcare Travel Cost [...]

We have been notified that the Secretary of State has asked the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) to carry out an initial assessment and welcome the opportunity for further independent scrutiny of the changes to healthcare services in Dorset. We will be working with NHS England and NHS Improvement to ensure that the IRP has all the information and supporting evidence it requires to assist its assessment. We do not wish to speculate further before the IRP has completed its assessment.

From December 2019, our current Chief Finance Officer and ICS Finance Lead will be stepping down so we are for an exceptional finance professional to join our Executive Team. We are seeking applications from individuals who can bring leadership, challenge and extensive experience to the Dorset system. Individuals who can bring a fresh perspective and able to draw on relevant experience and insight. Find out more via www.joinourdorset.nhs.uk.

The Annual General Meeting of NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group takes place on Wednesday 10 July 2019 at which we will be presenting our Annual Report and Accounts for 2018/19. It will be held at the Hamworthy Club, Magna Road, Canford Magna, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 3AP between 9.30am – 11.30am.  Attendees will also be able to find out more about how GP services are developing in their area and about the benefits of new Primary Care Networks as well as speak to a number of local Our Dorset partners who will have information stands. Registration is not required; however, we would encourage people to do so in order to help [...]

A range of health services in Lyme Regis and Charmouth – including physiotherapy, community nursing, occupational therapy and community care home beds – will be delivered by the NHS from next month. Dorset HealthCare will take over responsibility from Saturday, 1 June after the contract with existing provider Virgin Care comes to an end on 31 May. Local people who use community services should not notice any change in how they are provided, and there is nothing they need to do in order to continue to receive their care and support. Dorset HealthCare was recently rated “good” by the Care Quality [...]

An update on the development of Lifeboat Quay Medical Centre will be available at a public event to be held on Thursday 23rd May 2019 at The Spire, High Street, Poole. When it is opened later this Summer, Lifeboat Quay Medical Centre will become the new home for staff and patients of Carlisle House Surgery, who have benefitted from a significant investment from the NHS England Estates and Transformation Fund. Along with updates on the build, those attending the event will be able to see plans for the new surgery and speak to members of the team who will be on [...]

NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has written to all patients registered with Longfleet House Surgery in Poole advising them that they will be transferred to a different local practice in the coming weeks in advance of its closure at the end of June. Patients who would prefer to register with an alternative practice to the one offered can do so. Details on this can be found at https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/gps/patient-choice-of-gp-practices/. The decision to close the surgery was made in the face of growing demand and the challenges that are being experienced nationally including workforce and increasing costs. It is anticipated the transfer [...]

Patients in Poole are set to benefit from the formation of Shore Medical: a new partnership formed from a number of local GP practices working together. In total 58,500 patients will have their health care provided by Shore Medical. Shore Medical sees the following practices become partners in the new group, sharing resources, staff and expertise: • Heatherview Medical Centre and Fernside Surgery; • Lilliput Surgery; • Parkstone Tower Practice; • Poole Road Medical Centre; • Wessex Road Surgery. Staffing and services at all the individual practices will continue as normal and patients will be looked after by their established teams [...]

People registered with a Dorset GP practice are being encouraged to find out more about how they can help influence health services in their community. Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) work in partnership with GP practices and allow patients to contribute their views, make suggestions for improvements or get involved in events. Two information events are being held during May where people can speak to staff and PPG members from across the area, find out more and get their questions answered. There will also be short presentations from local GP, Dr Simone Yule and the LiveWell Dorset team. Frances Aviss is Engagement [...]

Over 140 people attended Woodmead Halls earlier this week to find out more about the future of health services in the Lyme Regis area. Those who attended were able to watch a presentation about the upcoming changes with representatives of the partners available to answer questions. These included NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Dorset HealthCare and local GP practices. For those who were unable to attend the meeting a short video has been made available along with some frequently asked questions. Dr Forbes Watson, local GP and Chair of NHS Dorset CCG said “The feedback we had on the event [...]