The forums will also aim to highlight the way the medical practice works with other organisations and look to the future for healthcare. With this in mind, the forums will be entitled: ‘Progressing Healthcare in Dartmouth through Promoting Partnerships’.
The forums are a pioneering effort by the Medical Practice, which serves 8,500 patients in the Dartmouth and district area, to ensure that it provides the service people expect and the health care services they need.
There will again be a question and answer session at the forums, and the Medical Practice partners want to again focus on communicating with its patients so that it can continue to provide the best possible service.
Medical Practice partner Dr Andrew Eynon-Lewis said he was looking forward to another chance to have an open and positive discussion with patients.
‘We all saw how powerful the last forums were,’ he said. ‘This was because we were openly looking to communicate and listen – and our patients responded to that. I think it’s vital we keep this process going by holding these new forums.
‘We have much to share, such as how we have responded to the information we received at the last forums by making changes in our appointments and other significant moves which we believe have helped patients access our service more easily.
‘But more than that we are again hoping to find out what our patients want, expect and feel about healthcare in Dartmouth and its surrounding districts.’
One of the forums will be held outside Dartmouth to make it as easy as possible for members of the community from Dartmouth’s surrounding villages can attend as easily as possible.
Dr Adam Morris, a partner at the practice, said: ‘We are aiming to make it easy for our patients to engage with us in a conversation which will help us be the best we can be. We have taken on the feedback we received at the last forums and have made real and effective changes. These forums are a real opportunity for our patients to help shape the future of healthcare for this area. We are listening.’
The second Dartmouth Medical Practice forums will be held at Townstal Community Hall on Monday November 21 and Dartmouth Golf and Country Club on Thursday November 24. Both will begin at 7pm.
Phil Scoble 