Published: Friday, 10th July, 2009 9:00am

Tweeddale's health to be examined

Comments (0) | Print | Email

TWEEDDALE"S health will be squarely on the agenda at Peebles Community Council"s upcoming "Focus on Health" summit.

The open meeting will be held in Peebles Community Centre on Wednesday, August 19, featuring a full turn out of key service providers, elected representatives and SBC officials in attendance, all wishing to address present problems and future challenges.

Scheduled to appear are NHS Borders Board Chair Mary Wilson, Chief Executive John Glennie and Medical Director Ross Cameron, plus SBC Director of Social Work Andrew Lowe.

Issues to be addressed include Dunwhinny Lodge, the Transforming Older People"s Services consultation, Haylodge Health Centre, Glentress, and dental services in the area.

It is hoped that a partnership consultation such as this will allow key health issues to be addressed with one common voice, as one area of provision impacts directly on another.

The first meeting took place last February, largely organised by Janice Pace, health representative for Peebles Community Council.

She said: ' Peebles is rapidly growing with associated demands on doctors, dentists and social care provision.

'There are currently 11,000 patients registered at Haylodge Health Centre and this is set to grow, with Peebles seen as one of the key areas for population growth over the next 20 years due to its proximity to Edinburgh.

'Alongside this we have an ageing population. We have this opportunity to be part of a consultation process that will influence the strategy on what changes can be made to maintain or improve services for our area.'

Peebles Community Council chairman, Ian Wilson said: 'Anyone can attend this meeting to air their views and put some questions to the powers that be.

'There will be a good open discussion about the challenges for health and social care and we are delighted with the attendance of some key local decision makers.'

Mary Wilson of NHS Borders thanked the Peebles Community Council for organising the meeting.

She said: 'I welcome the chance for open discussion and the chance for closer partnership working between agencies. I am keen to see how we can meet the needs in the locality of Tweeddale and look forward to continued consultation on this.'