THE next Community Forum will focus on the Alton Strategic Health Services Review and what it means for the future of healthcare in Alton.

It takes place tomorrow (Tuesday, October 31) at the Maltings Centre in Alton.

A collaboration of NHS commissioners and providers, along with representatives from local authorities, began a review of care provision in Alton in October 2015 and published a summary of its findings in July.

These will be presented to the public at the Community Forum by a panel of senior NHS officials.

Community Forum chairman Graham Hill said: “Health services are a crucial part of daily life for our residents, so the findings of the ongoing strategic health review for Alton should be of huge interest.

“In fact health service provision was a significant part of the Alton Neighbourhood Plan, particularly when we take account of the expected major increase in Alton’s population over the next few years.

“I am sure that many people in Alton are keen to hear which services might be changing and how as this will impact on all of us who live in Alton and the surrounding villages.”

The review has suggested five priorities:

* Changing patient need and increasing demand for services;

* GPs working closely with nurses and community health services, hospital specialists and mental health and social care to create integrated, out-of-hospital care;

* Community hospitals need to consider new options to help them remain viable, including forming partnerships and developing interdependencies with other hospitals further afield;

* Significantly greater public engagement in positive health behaviour change, and self-care, with particular focus on reducing smoking and alcohol consumption and obesity;

* It states the benefits of increased collaboration with voluntary, third sector and community organisations, and how these are fundamental to a changing health and social care landscape.

Run by East Hampshire District Council, and covering matters concerning Alton and the surrounding villages, the Community Forum starts at 6.30pm and will also present an opportunity for the public to pose questions to district councillors on any topics or issues of concern.