PEOPLE are being encouraged to attend the “right care, first time” public meeting next Wednesday evening to share their views on plans to redesign local urgent health care services.

The public meeting will give people the chance to hear more about the Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) plans to replace existing urgent care services with two integrated urgent care centres.

The current system features the minor injuries unit at Malton Hospital, a walk-in service at Castle Health Service, in Scarborough, and the GP out-of-hours service, from 6.30pm to 8am.

Following a short video presentation, the meeting will then take the form of an interactive question-and-answer session with a panel of GPs from the CCG’s Governing body.

The meeting is part of a 12-week public engagement initiative, which launched at the beginning of January and ends on March 30.

Feedback will be used by the CCG to develop a detailed specification for the new urgent care service, which will launch in April 2015. The main aim of redesigning urgent care services is to help ensure patients with urgent care needs receive the right care, first time, while also helping to reduce pressure on A&E departments.

Dr Omnia Hefni, local GP and urgent care lead for NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG, said: “We know that about 3,000 people access urgent care services every month in Scarborough and Ryedale, so it’s really important people get involved and have their say on our proposals. As an organisation that is committed to putting the needs of patients at the heart of everything, the feedback will genuinely be used to shape the service and ultimately ensure it meets the needs of local people.

“These meetings are a great opportunity for people to find out more, ask questions and ensure they have a say on the future of urgent care services in the area.”

The meeting will be held at Ryedale District Council, Malton, on Wednesday, February 26 at 7pm.

For more information go to www.scarboroughryedaleccg.nhs.uk