Have your NHS questions answered

Tuesday 12 May 2020

Health chiefs in Northumberland are urging people to submit their questions ahead of its virtual governing body meeting this month.

NHS Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has arranged for members of its Governing Body to discuss health plans for Northumberland on Wednesday May 20 whilst safely social distancing. Governing Body members will be able to dial in from their homes into an online Microsoft Teams meeting, which will not be available for public viewing at this stage.

The CCG has made the decision to no longer hold its Governing Body meetings physically in public, until it is safe to do so, to adhere to government guidelines and prioritise people’s safety.

Dr Graham Syers, Clinical Chair at the CCG, said: “It is a difficult time for everyone and we are all having to adapt to some very new ways of working.

“It is very important to us that we ensure we keep the same level of transparency with our local communities and give people the opportunity to share their views and questions. Of course we would like to meet face-to-face and invite people to attend our Governing Body meeting, but this is just not possible in the current climate. We need to ensure peoples’ safety.”

The agenda for the next meeting will focus on COVID-19 and the next phase plan. Members of the public are invited to submit any questions on agenda items by email to Melody Price melodyprice@nhs.net by Monday 18 May 2020. A copy of the agenda and papers will be available on the CCG website https://www.northumberlandccg.nhs.uk/events/ a week in advance of the meeting. Responses will be shared with the individual member of the public who has raised the question within seven working days and recorded as part of the approved Governing Body minutes.

Dr Syers continued: “These questions will be very valuable and will help to shape our discussions and decisions and help us to consider how we address any issues or further improve services. I want to thank the public once again for their resilience, understanding and support at this particularly challenging time.”

For more information, please contact Melody Price on 01670 335185 or email: melodyprice@nhs.net.