A SERIES of consultation drop in events is due to continue in Settle starting on Thursday (January 11) to discuss community health services in Craven.

The two hour sessions are part of a three month long consultation launched in November by the NHS Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which is also looking into the future of Castleberg Hospital, Giggleswick, which has been closed since April last year following safety concerns.

Included in the consultation is looking at community services for adults who need rehabilitation or additional support to prevent them becoming acutely unwell, or who are needing care as they approach the end of their lives.

Dr James Thomas, clinical chairman at the CCG, encouraged people to attend one of the four sessions being held this month. "What you say will make a difference to the way community services in Craven work in the future," he said.

“It’s important to know what matters to local people so we can design services and make decisions that personalise care and support patients and their families in the long-term. As a local GP, I understand how important community care is to people in Craven, especially being a rural community. So, if you can’t come along to one of the drop-in sessions, I would urge you to take the time to either fill out the online survey, email or write to us so that your views are counted.”

The formal consultation comes after a period of engagement which took place last summer when people were asked to share their thoughts on the best way to consult, and for their thoughts around what mattered to them most.

Almost 300 people took part in the process which was the used to plan the main consultation and come up with two main options now being consulted on.

They are to continue to provide inpatient care in the community and to repair and restore Castleberg Hospital, and to provide an enhanced range of care in people's homes, or in an alternative 'community setting', such as a care home.

Since Castleberg was closed last year, inpatient beds have been provided at care homes and services have been provided at Airedale Hospital at at Lancaster.

Sessions will take place on Thursday, (January 11) at Victoria Hall, Settle, between 6pm and 8pm; on Friday, (January 12) at the Devonshire Institute, Grassington, between 2pm and 4pm; on Friday, January 19 at Victoria Hall, Settle, between 8.30am and 11.30am, and on Monday, January 29 at Victoria Hall, Settle, between 2pm and 4pm.

Full details on the consultation including dates and times of all drop-in sessions are available on the CCG website at: airedalewharfedalecravenccg.nhs.uk/get-involved/give-us-your-views-consultations/ The consultation will run until February 27 with a final decision due in May.

Those who are unable to attend a drop-in session can complete the consultation questionnaire by visiting bit.ly/careincraven or by emailing engage@awcccg.nhs.uk, or by post to: Care in Craven Consultation, Freepost RTEK-UHKG-UBEK, Douglas Mill, Bowling Old Lane, Bradford BD5 7JR (no stamp is needed).