PATIENTS will now be able to join the debate on the financial stability of the NHS as the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group begins a public consultation over its two and five-year plans.
The consultation, which will run into October, is seeking views on proposals to get health services back on track and deliver the best care.
People across Braintree, Chelmsford and Maldon are being invited to take part in surveys, request meetings and attend a series of open workshops as part of the consultation.
Dr Bryan Spencer, chairman of Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: "One of our main duties is to buy health services on the public's behalf. We need to make sure that those services are available when you need them and that they meet the high safety, quality and clinical standards we have here in mid Essex.
"However, healthcare is costing more than the money we are allocated and we are still in debt.
"So we have developed a two year plan that shows how we intend to make savings."
"And then we have our longer term vision – the five year plan – which sets out a series of transformation programmes designed to improve health during every stage of life and meet the growing demands of people living and working in mid Essex."
The open public workshops are taking place on the following days and times:
Maldon Town Hall - 7-9pm on July 28, and 2-4pm on September 8
Spring Lodge, Witham - 7-9pm on July 29
Cathedral Chapter House, Chelmsford - 2-4pm on July 30 and 7-9pm on September 10
Club Woodham, Baron Road, South Woodham Ferrers - 7-9pm on Septemer 4
Council Chamber, Braintree Town Hall - 7-9pm on September 11
