Sefton and West Lancashire residents invited to give their views about health and care services

File image. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA

Submitted by Lydia Martin

Online events will be held across the areas of Southport, Formby and West Lancashire to listen to people's views and experiences of health and care services.

Shaping Care Together is led by NHS Southport and Formby CCG, NHS West Lancashire CCG and Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust and is the first stage of a process to understand public experience and views before any proposals to solve the challenges faced are considered.

Like NHS services across the country, local hospitals face significant challenges. Some have been present for years while the urgency of others has been made clear during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shaping Care Together aims to redefine how hospital services are provided, help people use them only when they need them, and ensure those services are safe, sustainable and high quality.

Shaping Care Together will explore how what is in place now can be built on, understand what works well and how things can be made better.

If you live in the Skelmersdale, Lancashire area and wish to comment on health and care services in the area, join the Shaping Care Together online discussion on:

• Thursday, February 4, 2pm - 3.30pm. To register, click here.
• Thursday February 11, 6pm - 8pm. To register, click here.

If you live in the Ormskirk, Lancashire area and wish to comment on health and care services in the area, join the Shaping Care Together online discussion on:

• Wednesday, February 11, 6.30pm - 8pm. To register, click here.
• Thursday, February 18, 2pm - 3.30pm. To register, click here.

If you live in the Southport and Formby, Merseyside and surrounding areas and wish to comment on health and care services in the area, join the Shaping Care Together online discussion on:

• Wednesday, February 17, 2pm - 3.30pm. To register, click here.
• Wednesday, February 17, 6.30pm - 8pm. To register, click here.

The programme will last throughout 2021 and there will be many opportunities for local people to have their say. It is important to stress that no decisions have been made and views are being sought to inform thinking and proposals for change.

Views can be shared on the dedicated website and over the coming months there will be lots of different ways for people to get involved. Details of further events will be announced soon.

People who do not feel comfortable using the internet can call 01695 588025 to receive paper copies of a questionnaire.