Biggest turn out yet for Big Chat health event in Southport

A public meeting held by NHS Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) was one of their best attended yet with over 100 people attending on the day.

The ‘Big Chat’ and Annual General Meeting (AGM) is an annual event offering local residents the opportunity to hear about the CCG’s achievements over the past year, and their plans for the future.

This year the event, held on 10 September at the Bliss Hotel in Southport, had a special focus on the recently-published NHS Long Term Plan and what it means for local health services. The development of the 5 year Shaping Sefton II plan was also discussed and how residents can input into this.

Dr Rob Caudwell, local GP and NHS Southport and Formby CCG chair, said: “I would like to thank everyone who came out to our ‘Big Chat 11’ this year – it was great to speak to so many people.

“Events like these offer us an opportunity to connect with local people and find out about their experiences using local health and care services. We also get to tell people about the great projects we have been working on over the past year and plans we have for the future.”

The meeting also featured a popular marketplace of information stalls, hosted by health and wellbeing related services. Attendees were able to ask questions and take home leaflets to find out more details. Some of the services at the event included:

Stroke Association

Southport Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre

Lancashire Care’s diabetes education team

Healthwatch Sefton

Active Sefton.

Members of the public noted that the event was a great opportunity to share their feedback and to stay up to date with the CCG’s work.