ALL public events surrounding the future of health services in Somerset have been cancelled due to the coronavirus.

A public consultation on the future of Somerset Minor Injuries Units and other community health services has been running over the past few week.

A second consultation, on transferring mental health beds from Wells to Yeovil, has also been running alongside it.

Both consultations – held as part of the Fit For My Future programme – had a number of public events where residents could give their feedback in person.

Residents now have until April 12 to respond either by post, phone or electronically.

Acute mental health beds for people of working age are currently funded by the Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), and are sited in Taunton, Wells and Yeovil.

Under the proposals, the Wells ward will be closed later in 2020, with all the beds being relocated to Yeovil – something the CCG argues would result in better acute medical cover for those with the greatest need.

Regarding community health services, the CCG proposes closing some of the seven minor injury units (MIUs) and replacing them with a smaller number of “urgent treatment centres”, which are staffed by GPs rather than nurses.

MIUs currently provide health services for people who are unable to see a GP at short notice and don’t need to go to A&E.

No final decision has been taken on which MIUs may close, with further proposals due to come before the CCG’s board later in the year.

Dr Alex Murray, clinical director at Fit for My Future, said: “We have been out and about across Somerset over the past two months hearing from as many people as possible about our proposals and early thinking.

“We are delighted that so many people have joined us at our events and taken the time to give us their views.

“Following the government’s advice on coronavirus (COVID-19) we have sadly had to cancel all our remaining scheduled public-facing events and activities.

“This is to ensure the safety and well-being of people in Somerset and to make sure that we aren’t bringing people together unnecessarily.”

Dr Murray said a number of additional Facebook Live sessions would be organised over the coming weeks to ensure people could still have their say and ask questions to medical personnel face to face.

She added: “Hearing from people in Somerset remains a priority for us and there are plenty of ways to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from even more people.”

To take part in either consultation, you can:

  • Visit www.fitformyfuture.org.uk and complete the online questionnaire
  • Send your comments by post to Freepost, Somerset MH Consultation or Freepost, Somerset Community Engagement respectively
  • Send an email to somccg.fitformyfuture@nhs.net
  • Call 01935 384119