Health the hot topic at latest Pensioners' Forum

Date:  05 July 2006

The popular Three Rivers Pensioners' Forum held its latest meeting on Friday (30 June) and heard from West Herts Hospitals Trust on the proposed changes to local hospitals.

Around sixty pensioners from across the district came along to the meeting held in the Colne Suite, Watersmeet, to hear from Director of Planning at West Herts Hospitals Trust, Sarah Shaw.  Sarah gave a presentation and answered questions on the options which are being considered to address the financial deficit of the Trust, which could include centralising or changing local hospital service provision. 

Councillor Paul Goggins, the Council's Pensioners' Champion and Chairman of the Pensioners' Forum, said:

"We're so pleased that this meeting proved useful and informative for everyone who attended.  Access to quality local hospital services is really important for our older residents and it's essential that they have their say on any proposed changes and that they have accurate information about these changes."

The Pensioners' Forum meets three times per year to discuss a range of issues and hear from a variety of speakers.  For those with transport difficulties, the Council reimburses taxi transport costs on provision of a receipt.  The next meeting will take place on Friday 20 October, where it is hoped there will be a presentation from the other side of the local health service, the Primary Care Trust, whose responsibilities include GPs and ambulance services. 

For more information or to be added to the mailing list and receive a copy of the agenda and minutes, contact Linda Scott on 01923 727334 or email linda.scott@threerivers.gov.uk.