The NHS in Oxfordshire is calling on young people, parents, patients, carers and people who work in Henley-on-Thames to have their say on the future of healthcare in the county.

The Big Conversation roadshow, on Tuesday 6 September, offers the chance to drop in for an informal chat with doctors and senior NHS staff to share ideas on how healthcare services in Oxfordshire can deliver high quality care now and in the future.

The Henley roadshow, which supports the Oxfordshire Healthcare Transformation Programme,  takes place in the Maurice Tate Room at Townlands Hospital between 10am and 12noon on 6 September. The event is open to everyone; there is no need to book. 

Visitors will have the opportunity to share ideas and opinions which will help shape the options for change.

The event will focus on:

• the financial health challenges in Oxfordshire
• how we can improve the overall health of people in Oxfordshire
• how we can prevent people from getting ill 
• how we can improve quality
• how we can make best use of taxpayers' money
• how people can get more actively involved including hearing about plans for public consultation later in the year

Damon Palmer, the Oxfordshire Healthcare Transformation Programme director, said: “We really want the public to be partners with us in this process.  We want people who live and work in Henley and the surrounding area to tell us their views about how we can improve NHS services in Oxfordshire. 

"We cannot afford to continue providing services as we have done in the past. Together we need to think more smartly about how we deliver services to improve the health of our communities within the resources we have available.”

The Mayor of Henley, Cllr Julian Brookes, said: "We are delighted to welcome the Big Conversation roadshow to Henley.

"Healthcare services have been keenly debated in the town and surrounding villages for many years and will continue to be so.

"This is a good opportunity for our community to make its voice heard about the future of NHS services, not just in Henley but across the county. The plans for transforming services affect all of us now and in the future."