FURNESS residents are to given a second chance to air their views and share their experiences of healthcare in the county.

A second listening event, following a successful first one, will be held on the evening of March 24, in collaboration with University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) and NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

"This is not just an event, it is the start of a new, collaborative relationship between the community and health service providers to build understanding and take healthcare in Furness into new realms,” said Dr Arabella Onslow, deputy lead GP for the CCG in Furness.

“It is very exciting to be part of such a process and we look forward to it gaining momentum in the months and years to come.”

Local health service providers are aiming to create a regular series of events which will allow hospital doctors, GPs and health care providers to meet with the community for an ‘open and honest discussion’ about health services in Furness.

This, said a Cumbria CCG spokeswoman, will also give the public the opportunity to talk to health care professionals face to face.

At the first event around 20 people turned up.

Sue Smith, executive chief nurse for UHMBT, said: “The first listening event was a great success and really gave us the chance to talk to members of the public about their experiences in our hospitals and the wider local NHS.

“Offering these opportunities for people to talk face to face to clinicians and managers in their local NHS is vital for us to understand what it is that we all do well and where improvements may still need to be made.

“We look forward to seeing as many members of the public at the next event as possible.”

The next event will be held at The Forum, Barrow, between 6pm and 7pm.

The North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, community support services, mental health and emergency care teams have also been invited to attend.