Residents wanting to save our health services at Deal Hospital are urged to book in now to have your say.

Deal people are being asked to attend a workshop meeting that will focus on the ideas for future health and care services being provided in and around Deal.

The workshop meeting is being organised by NHS South Kent Coast Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and will take place from 2pm to 5pm on Tuesday, January 28 at Deal Town Hall, High Street, Deal.

The clinical chairman of NHS South Kent Coast CCG, Dr Darren Cocker, said: “As local GPs we’re asking the people of Deal to join us in looking at the types of services that may be provided in and around Deal.

“Planning for health and care services requires some long-term vision and the CCG is working on a five-year plan for services in the area."

The meeting is what the CCG calls an engagement event. It will be followed by other workshop meetings focusing on specific services.

The CCG is a group of doctors charged with selecting the services we have in Deal Hospital for the next five years. The group holds the cheque book, and has to balance services across the Dover District and Shepway area.

The group aims for more doctor autonomy, so they are the ones to commission the services, based on what residents tell them they want.

Dr Cocker added: “This is an opportunity for the people of Deal and the surrounding areas to work with the CCG, so we establish what matters to local people and look ahead at our priorities.”

Brian Wash, lay member for public and patient involvement, said: “Deal people know their town and know what the community wants. By working with the CCG, local people can make their voice heard and share their ideas for health services in Deal.”

The workshop is the first of a series of engagement events.

Attendance at the workshop is limited by space, and anyone interested in taking part should email Ros Spinks at rosalind.spinks@nhs.net