ASKtheNHS (Again) will be held on the morning of Saturday 20th September and will focus specifically on obstetric care and maternity services. That service in Winchester could be set for major changes if a new acute care hospital is built as part of plans to overhaul hospital services across the new Foundation Trust covering Winchester, Andover and Basingstoke.
The MP held a similar meeting back in March which was attended by around 150 people and saw Trust Chief Executive, Mary Edwards, and senior clinicians outline the plans which could go out to public consultation before the end of this year.
The September meeting will again hear from Mary Edwards but also feature Dr Simon Struthers from the RHCH Neonatal Unit, Winchester-based obstetrician Michael Heard and Head of Midwifery, Caroline Brunt.
Steve Brine says; "I was pleased with the March meeting but we didn't have too many young mum's and dad's there which was maybe no surprise on a Thursday evening. Consequently, we didn't spend as much time discussing obstetrics and maternity as I would have liked. This session is therefore deliberately on a weekend and I especially want constituents who are at my age and stage in life, with young kids, to come along.
"As the local MP, I think it is my responsibility to see the Trust plans get the fullest hearing as I want to ensure there is as much understanding as possible among residents. I am determined we will do that with a sensible, evidence-based, approach; not one that misleads my constituents, deliberately or otherwise. As a young parent of two myself, both actually born at the RHCH in recent years, I am clear our NHS deserves nothing less."
The MP added that, while a major survey he undertook earlier this year showed a willingness to hear more about the plans, it was proposed changes to obstetrics and maternity care which showed the greatest anxiety among his constituents and therefore need closer scrutiny.
Pictured; Steve with his children Emily (6) and William (3), who were both born at Florence Partal House, RHCH
More information ...
ASKtheNHS (Again) takes place from 10-12 on Saturday 20th September in central Winchester.
Please go to www.stevebrine.com/asktheseries or call 01962 791110 to register and receive full details.
You can download the official flyer here and hear a short clip about the event here (MP3 file)