PATIENTS who attend Alton Health Centre are being urged to attend a public meeting on Wednesday (February 20) to ensure that they continue to have Ôan independent voiceÕ in matters concerning their health.
To be hosted by AHUG - the Alton Health Centre UsersÕ Group for patient participation, the meeting will aim to encourage more people to become involved in the group at this time of radical change.
The message from AHUG is clear, patients are and will continue to see change, not only within the NHS itself but locally with the splitting up of the practices pending the construction of an additional surgery at the community hospital end of town.
According to AHUG chairman Sandra Howitt, having been in action now for 19 years, AHUG is in real need of new blood and fresh ideas.
ÒDoing nothing is not an option,Ó stressed Mrs Howitt who points out that there are several members of the committee planning to stand down at the agm in March and at present there is no one to replace them.
ÒOne of the main thrusts of the new NHS plan is towards patient participation - on giving people the opportunity to comment on the services they receive. In Alton we are fortunate in having AHUG which acts as a voice for the people,Ó she said.
Set up to support all patients of Alton Health Centre, AHUG aims to:
r convey patient views to the practices
r help bring about change in local health services
r make suggestions for improving facilities
Over the years the group has run health centre open days; raised funds for surgery toy areas; sought to promote good health via regular talks by health professionals; successfully campaigned for a pedestrian crossing outside the health centre; purchased equipment for the treatment room; raised funds for the automatic opening doors at the front entrance to the centre; and carried out a survey in support of the Treloar Hospital project.
The aim now is to expand and strengthen AHUG to meet the demands of the growing practices and proposed new practice site, in order to ensure that the views of patients will continue to be heard.
The meeting called for 7-30 pm on Wednesday at Alton Health Centre is expected to include at least one GP representative from each practice who will be able to expand on their vision for the future of AHUG.