Michel Hooper-Immins has been re-elected as Chairman of the Weymouth & Portland Health Network, the independent local patients’ forum of the Dorset NHS Clinical Commissioning Group [CCG.] In June, Mr. Hooper-Immins was also elected for a third three-year term as a Public Governor of the Dorset County Hospital Foundation Trust.
He told the committee, comprised of local carers and patients, that their input was going to be ever more important- “with the Clinical Services Review now postponed until next year, patients have another valuable opportunity to make their voices heard on the future of our vital local NHS services. Despite what is sometimes said, all the patients who talk to me, want to travel as little as possible to access health clinics and services.“
There were four nominations for WPHN Chairman in the election held at the September WPHN meeting, overseen by Dr. John Orrell. The other candidates were Michael Osmond, Jenny Stiling and Lucy Hamilton.
Among local problems discussed by the committee was the difficulty of accessing podiatry services. Peter Greensmith, who represents Preston patients, said good foot care was vital to diabetics in the borough to avoid further problems and amputations.
Rosemary Smeeton, from the Wyke Regis surgery patients panel, questioned the discrepancy in rheumatology consultants, with only one at Dorset County Hospital, but four at Poole and five at Bournemouth Hospital. The Chairman said DCH were trying to recruit a second rheumatology consultant, but there were clearly insufficient consultants in the west of the county. The Chief Executive at Dorset County Hospital will be asked to explain how the situation can be improved.
Mark Flute from the Weymouth & Portland Mental Health Team, updated members on the improvements planned in October.
“Born and bred in Weymouth and being a patient myself, I have long taken an interest in local NHS services,” says Michel Hooper-Immins. “I am conscious that more Weymouth patients want to be treated in Weymouth and welcome plans to augment the services at Weymouth Community Hospital. On the wider stage, we must beware of centralisation agendas which seek to force patients to travel to the far east of the county. I should like to see Portland Hospital used a great deal more than it is, not only by islanders, but by residents in Wyke Regis and Rodwell.”
The Weymouth & Portland Health Network meets four times a year and is part of the Dorset CCG’s countywide Health Involvement Network. With an independent Chairman, it brings together local patients and carers, with Weymouth & Portland CCG Locality Vice Chairman Dr. Jon Orrell and Locality Manager Celia Canter.
Enquiries about joining the Weymouth & Portland Health Network or any other locality group, should be made of Sue Brazier at the Dorset CCG, telephone 01305 368908 or email: sue.brazier@dorsetccg.nhs.uk
