We need to ensure our views are heard

IN last week's issue, George Alfred Husband, the chair of LINk raised the important issue of the changes that are happening to the NHS.

Local GPs will be commissioning all of our local health services through 'GP Consortia', and we need to ensure our views are heard.

The Senior Council for Devon has recently submitted a 32-page response to the recent consultation on these changes, reflecting the views of older people in Devon; these include concerns over how Health and Social Care issues will be co-ordinated, how the public and voluntary organisations are to be represented on these consortia, the new HealthWatch, the new Health and Wellbeing Board , and in particular how services will be delivered in rural areas.

The Okehampton and Area branch of the SCfD will be discussing LINk's questionnaire on 'Have Your Say on Leaving Hospital' and have Alison Goldby the Practice Manager of the Medical Centre as the guest speaker at their next meeting on Tuesday November 9 at the Ockment Centre, Okehampton, 10am for 10.30am start — all are welcome.

For more information contact Margaret Woolacott, (chair 01837 53214) or Richard Ashby (secretary 01837 840287).

Ken Crawford

Hillcrest

South Tawton