Have your say on Primary Health Care

Cllr Pam Barton, Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, today urged local people to have their say about access to primary health care in the Borough.

The move comes as East Lancs Health chiefs start a consultation process to find out how often local people visit their GP, how often they use their GP’s out of hours service and how often they use the walk in centre at Accrington Victoria Hospital.

Cllr Barton said; “These local health services cost a considerable amount of money and Health Chiefs are indicating that savings need to be made. Therefore some difficult decisions may also be necessary about where the savings will be and what services they will affect.  Evidence shows that services such as the walk in service at Accrington Victoria hospital are very popular, but this comes at a cost.  Health chiefs  are considering whether there are other ways of providing access to primary health care, such as improving the service received from your GP, or the out of hours call out service, and the Council is keen to ensure that local people have their say in this important debate.”

A questionnaire will be available for people to complete in public buildings around the Borough from libraries, GP practices and Council buildings and it can also be accessed electronically via Council website or from the following link http://www.eastlancsccg.nhs.uk/get-involved/accrington-health-access-centre

East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group are also holding  ‘open day’ event  in Accrington Market Hall on Saturday 12/10/13 between 10am-2pm where the public will be able to  talk to health professionals and local GP’s about the process which closes on 30th October 2013.

Councillor Barton concluded; “Hyndburn Council is totally committed to the provision of local health care services and we will strive to ensure the residents of Hyndburn do not see a reduced primary health care service. This process is about enabling the public to have their say and make informed choices about the type of service they want. We would encourage as many people as possible to complete the questionnaire before 30th October and/or attend the open day to make sure they have their say.”