People living and working in Dorset are invited to attend upcoming marketplace style events to find out more about their local health and care services, ranging from digital support at home to planned care and living a healthy lifestyle.

There will also be an opportunity for eligible people to get their COVID vaccination from the Dorset HealthCare team if they haven’t already had one.

The free to attend events take place in

  • Blandford, The Crown Hotel – 28 November
  • Poole, The Spire – 7 December.

Both events are drop-in sessions and run from 12.30pm through to 6.30pm; there is no need to register in advance.

Organisations attending include:

  • NHS Dorset
  • Dorset County Hospital
  • University Hospitals Dorset
  • Dorset HealthCare
  • Dorset Council
  • BCP Council
  • Dorset Voluntary and Community Sector organisations
  • Prama
  • Livewell Dorset
  • Healthwatch Dorset

Chair of Dorset Integrated Care System (ICS) Jenni Douglas-Todd said “In today’s digital age we often overlook the benefit of having a simple conversation with someone, and events such as these enable those people who may not have access to or prefer not to use digital channels to find information whilst at the same time allowing us to hear directly about people’s experiences.

“Following feedback from an earlier event the opening times have been adjusted to allow people who may have existing commitments during the day to attend and I would encourage everyone to come along if they can as this is a great opportunity to hear from many partners in our local health and care system.”

Further information

Organisations attending both events:

  • Help and Kindness
  • Dorset Cancer Partnership – Bowel cancer
  • Wessex Cancer Alliance
  • Dorset HealthCare vaccination team
  • NHS Dorset
  • LiveWell Dorset – know your numbers, blood pressure checks
  • Healthwatch Dorset
  • University Hospitals Dorset
  • Community Action Network
  • Dorset Resilience Forum
  • Bournemouth and Weymouth Research Hubs

Blandford only:

  • Dorset County Hospital – site development, patient experience
  • Dorset Council – day opportunities
  • Dorset Community Action
  • Volunteer Centre Dorset

Poole only:

  • PramaLife
  • BCP Council – carer support and community initiatives

Both events take place between 12.30pm and 6.30pm

  • 28 November: The Crown Hotel, West St, Blandford Forum DT11 7AJ
  • 7 December: The Spire, High St, Poole BH15 1DF