Question time for doctors about health service proposals

Rochdale borough residents are invited to quiz local experts about proposed changes to health and care services in Greater Manchester at a BBC Question Time-style event.

A panel of experts, chaired by a Manchester Evening News representative, will take public questions about the Healthier Together proposals, which aim to improve health services in Greater Manchester.

The event will take place at the Middleton Arena at 7pm on Wednesday 17 September.

The panel will include doctors and other health professionals, who will share their views and opinions about the proposals at the event.

The panel members are:

• ·Dr George Kissen, Healthier Together Clinical Champion;
  
• Dr Chris Duffy, Chair, NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (HMR CCG);
  
• Dr Anton Sinniah, Deputy Medical Director, The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust;
  
• Sheila Downey, Director of Adults’ Services, Rochdale Borough Council;
  
• Richard Spearing, Director of Service Development and Partnerships, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust.
  

Healthier Together aims to reduce variation in care across Greater Manchester so all patients can access and receive excellent healthcare.

Dr Chris Duffy, Chair of NHS HMR CCG, said: “The Healthier Together question time event is an opportunity for you to take part in a lively, open and transparent discussion about proposals to change health and care services in Greater Manchester.

“These proposals represent the biggest changes to date to health services in Greater Manchester. This event is a great opportunity for you to come and find out more about the planned changes and pose questions to our panel of experts about how it will affect local services. It is vital that you have your say now about how they want hospital, GP and community services to be provided in the future.”

To find out more and book your place, visit www.bestcaregm.nhs.uk/rochdale or call 0800 888 6789.

The event is part of a series taking place across the borough as part of a public consultation regarding the Healthier Together proposals.

Other local events still to take place are:

• ·Tuesday 9 September, 9.30-11.30am, Demesne Community Centre, Asby Close, Middleton, M24 4JF;
  
• Wednesday 10 September, 6.30-8.30pm, Wardleworth Women's Centre, 18 Trafalgar Street, Rochdale, OL16 2EB;
  
• Tuesday 16 September, 6.30-8.30pm, Recovery Republic, 63-65 York Street, Heywood, OL10 4NR.
  

Full details, including the proposals and an online questionnaire, are available at www.bestcaregm.nhs.uk.