Media Release
Date: 14 January 2016
RUH invites Mendip residents to share views on Shepton Mallet Health & Wellbeing Campus vision
Mendip residents are being invited to a meeting to share ideas about the proposed development of a Shepton Mallet Health and Wellbeing Campus. The RUH is keen to hear the views of residents who will be using these services so that they can be well represented in future design and experience.
The proposed Campus will provide both surgery and diagnostic services, currently provided by the Shepton Mallet Treatment Centre, as well as community hospital and health promoting services. Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, who is responsible for the planning and funding of the county's health services, has invited 'expressions of interest' from organisations willing to provide key services at the campus and organisations willing to lead the integration of services to ensure overall delivery of the wider vision and objectives.
The RUH publicly announced its bid in July 2015, its vision is for a development which lies at the heart of the local community and its future wellbeing – designed together, created together, delivered together.
James Scott, RUH Chief Executive says, "We are really excited about the opportunity to further improve health services for the people of Shepton Mallet and the surrounding villages. We are clear that, for us, it's all about doing more for residents, not less. Our plans are taking shape, but we want to make sure we understand what the community in Mendip wants to achieve. These are your services, it's your community, we want to hear from you."
James continues, "At the RUH, we are seeing an increase in the number of patients we are treating from the Mendip area. It makes sense for us to be where our patients are; we want to work with the community to provide care where it's needed."
The public meeting will be held on Thursday, 28th January 2016, 6.30 - 8.30pm Mulberry Room, Kilver Court, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5NF. The event forms part of the Trust's constituency meeting for Mendip members, but all local residents are invited to attend.
Dr William Hubbard, Associate Medical Director at the RUH, will also be presenting at the meeting and will describe what the proposed new campus could mean from a patient perspective. Dr Hubbard says, "In thinking about how the new campus could work we put patients at the heart of our planning, and I'll be using patient stories to demonstrate what that means, from an initial appointment through to treatment and follow up."
Mendip residents who would like to attend the meeting, or who require further information can contact the RUH membership office by calling 01225 826288 or emailing ruhmembership@nhs.net. Places must be booked, so please call or email to confirm your attendance.
ENDS