Health chiefs agree to discussion over 24-hour GP cover
Healths chiefs have welcomed the chance to talk to residents about their concerns over the GPs out-of-hours service at a public meeting.
The event was set up after a recent story in the Somerset Standard in which Frome residents launched a petition calling for NHS Somerset to help resolve issues surrounding the current 24-hour service.
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In response, the health authority said it would be prepared to arrange and publicise a public forum in Frome, in order to gauge local opinion on a proposal to invest in 24-hour opening and GP cover at Frome Hospital's Minor Injury Unit.
A spokesman for NHS Somerset said: "NHS Somerset routinely holds many public engagement meetings and events throughout the year, but past experience has shown that public attendance at such meetings can be low and consequently a more successful option is usually for a representative to attend either a pre-existing meeting or event organised by other individuals, agencies or community groups.
"With such a range of issues and opinions already being posted it would also suggest that any public forum would benefit from representatives from the town's GPs, the South Western Ambulance NHS Trust, which is responsible for managing out-of-hours medical services, the Somerset Local Information Network (LINk), Friends of Frome Hospital and other local patient groups.
"Such a comprehensive forum might be more likely to deliver the necessary information and facts about existing services while hearing local views."
A date for the meeting has not yet been set.
NHS Somerset said that people who have concerns or views about Frome Hospital can call its PALS Service on 0800 0851 067 or email pals@somerset.nhs.uk.
11 Comments
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by jane, The mount frome
Tuesday, February 16 2010, 10:33PM
“SHOCKED AND OUTRAGED;
Family member ill sat night/sun morn.
Called the out of hours service for medical advice,could not even get through i held for 45 mins.
Rang ruh who told me in frome we come under yeovil.
Called yeovil hospital who then transfered me to out of hours service as they quote "are not medically trained to give telephone advice"
Shocking service
Worrying service
WILL IT TAKE A DEATH TO DO SOMETHING?”
by steven smith, wallbridge
Tuesday, February 16 2010, 10:19PM
“Good figures mike,perhaps they can set an example by getting rid of our local mp,who basically is as usefull as a chocolate spoon.
Like others im not voting either.
As for nhs,its wrong its split into 6 different organisations.pathetic.”
by mike, Frome
Tuesday, February 16 2010, 3:39PM
“A post on Heaths expenses story suggested we could do with less mps and use the money saved to provide out of hours cover.the figures quoted were £146,813 plus salary of £60,000.These were 07/08 figures in 08/09 he claimed £155,001.Seems to be keeping ahead of inflation then.”
by Zoe, beckington
Monday, February 15 2010, 7:02PM
“Mack and a few other people have all rightly asked,why has mr heath not signed the petition?
Perhaps he agrees with lives being put at risk out of hours.
As a lib dem i wont be voting for him again.
Like most other people we are all sick and tired of false promises,I wont even waste the tread on my shoes going to a polling station.
Im sure many feel the same.
On that interview mr heath comes across as arrogant and big headed.
Who the hell do these leeches think they are?”
by david j, mells
Monday, February 15 2010, 6:53PM
“Mike,i saw that as well mr heath being all arrogant,thinking just because he has been in the job for 12 years.
He has done nothing for this district.
Torys split up the nhs in the first place,labour just waste money on office staff n o front line services i.e out of hours care.
lib dems just hangers on hoping and preying for a hung parliament.
I thought about a ukip protest vote (if bnp were in frome id defo vote for them (and im not racist!!)But ill just tear up my vote in front of ALL OF THEM at the polling station.
Well done to mack and other people setting this petition up.
Better than any politicians.
DIRECT ACTION.”