• Re-Minutes of Forest of Dean Health Forum 7^th June 2016

• Deep in the minutes of this months Forest of Dean Health Forum a fair way down page 4 of 5 you find that

• ‘Concern was raised about GP surgeries going into private ownership and the inappropriate increase in charges. The Coleford doctors have been through this and would be a useful source of help for others facing this problem.’

• Every GP Surgery is supposed to have a patient Participation group a representative group of patients across the ages who are able to ask about issues they are concerned about. Brunston surgery group has met twice in March 2014 and March 2015 and suggested names badges be worn by all staff which has been accepted, but the computer check in as you arrive instead of a receptionist has not been part of any trial or proposal.
• Coleford Patient group is a virtual exercise so those involved are contacted online and individually.

Does this work as a way to ask if things are ok?-with the Forest Health Forum a pioneer for representing local people why are they not heading this fragile process? And if issues like 250% increase of costs and privatisation of our surgeries are not important moral and financial debates what is?