PROPOSALS for seven-day-a-week access to GPs in Dorset have been outlined.

A public consultation on the plans has been scheduled following a meeting of Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group Governing Body on Wednesday.

As reported in the Daily Echo this week, healthcare in Dorset is being overhauled with one of Poole Hospital and Royal Bournemouth Hospital to be designated as the county’s ‘major emergency hospital’. The other will become a ‘major planned hospital’.

As part of the same £2.75million review, later this year residents will be asked for their views on changes to GP as well as community and acute hospital services.

Dr Forbes Watson, a GP and chairman of Dorset CCG, said healthcare in the county needs to change to be fit for the future.

“Population growth and changing health needs mean we have to reconsider how we use our people, buildings and technology more wisely to deliver the highest benefit to all our patients,” he added.

“By working hard with local clinicians we now have a proposal for how this could be achieved. We look forward to hearing the views of the people and patients of Dorset later on this year before we make any decisions about the changes that could be made.

“Before consultation begins we will continue to give out regular updates and I encourage anyone who wants to find out more to visit our website and join the Health Involvement Network.”

The proposals will now be subject to an NHS assurance process, described as “robust” by the CCG, and an independent “gateway” review.

It is expected that the public consultation will then take place later this year in order to gather views and any additional information from residents.

A Dorset CCG Governing Body decision-making meeting will take place in spring 2016 based on the evidence gathered.

Launched in October last year, the Clinical Services Review has seen more than 300 GPs, hospital doctors, nurses, therapists, paramedics along with social care staff and public and patient representatives from in and around Dorset consult on healthcare.

Further information visit dorsetsvision.nhs.uk