EVENTS are being held across Devon, including one in Holsworthy, to give people the opportunity to find out about proposals to change and improve the way care for the elderly is provided.

Your Future Care is a proposal by NHS Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, to provide care and support at home and in the community for the elderly and frail, preventing unnecessary hospital admissions and supporting a faster return home.

The new way of caring for people means fewer community hospital beds are needed, and in the eastern locality of Devon, a public consultation is underway looking at where the remaining beds should be located.

Now, health bosses are keen to hear what people across the county think about an integrated model of care, where the various providers of services work together to promote the health and wellbeing of residents.

Health bosses are seeking views on this new model of care and hope as many people as possible will come along to the roadshows, where they can drop in for an informal chat and learn more about the proposals. The Your Future Care consultation document is available on the CCG’s website.

Dr Paul Hardy, a Plymouth GP and chair of the Western locality of the CCG area, said: “Everyone living in NEW Devon should be able to access great care. At present, many of our most vulnerable groups and populations receive lower levels of support. We are continually looking to improve the services we provide, to ensure that people have the maximum opportunity to retain their wellbeing and independence.

“When asked, many patients say that they would prefer to be managed in their own home, and when this is appropriate we will endeavour to support patients to achieve their wishes.

“We have to find a way to maximise the care we can provide, making the best use of our scarce resources.”

Amongst the roadshows taking place across Devon, one will be held in Holsworthy at the Memorial Hall, North Road, on Thursday, December 22 between 9.30am and 11.30am.

Public meetings are ongoing in the eastern locality as part of the consultation, and there are still a few places available.

Details of the events and how to register to guarantee a place can be found at the CCG’s website at www.newdevonccg.nhs.uk