SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE

ISLE OF WIGHT LOCAL HEALTHCARE STRATEGY CONSULTATION

You may be aware that the Isle of Wight NHS Healthcare Trust in conjunction with the Primary Care Trust started its formal consultation period for the Isle of Wight Local Healthcare Strategy on 1 November 2003. The strategy forms the NHS’s local response to the HealthFit Project launched last December.

As part of its ‘health scrutiny’ role the Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee will be undertaking its own independent consultation. This will enable the Select Committee to make recommendations to the Island’s health bodies.

As part of this consultation the Select Committee is seeking views from stakeholders, such as yourselves. There are a number of ways in which you can contribute to the consultation.

You can write to us at:

Health Consultation

c/o Select Committee Support

Floor 4, County Hall

Newport

Isle of Wight

PO30 1UD

Alternatively, email us at [email protected] or phone us on 01983 823803. Please note that all comments should be submitted by 15 January 2004.

The Select Committee will also be holding a series of consultation meetings, each focusing on one or two particular service areas affected by the strategy’s proposals, for which I have enclosed an agenda. The strategy can be found in help centres and libraries or on the web at either www.iowht.org.uk or www.iwight.com, or by phoning 01983 552028.

If you wish to attend any one, or all of the meetings, please notify the Committee Administrator, Katy Green, on 01983 823283. We would be most grateful if you could submit any written evidence stating your views on the strategy at least 4 working days prior to the meeting date. Please be advised that the meetings will be open to the press as well as recorded.

The series of consultation meetings will be held in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Newport and should last approximately two hours, please report to reception upon arrival. Food and drink will be provided at the meeting and car parking is also available in the County Hall car park. Katy can also supply you with the papers in a variety of formats and you may also view the full agenda on the Council’s website at www.iwight.com. In addition, a consultation feedback session will be held on 27 January 2004 at Medina Theatre, Newport, commencing at 6.00 pm.

If you would like to discuss the Select Committee’s Health Scrutiny role or any aspect of the proposed consultation please do contact me on 01983 823805.

Yours sincerely

Saskia Kiernan

Select Committee Support