SOUTH Gloucestershire residents are being asked to put forward their views about the NHS, locally and nationally, and what they think its future priorities should be.

South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the body responsible for planning and buying healthcare for the local population, is organising the survey to find out the views of local people.

It forms part of a national Call to Action led by NHS England, the national body responsible for NHS services.

It is asking the public, patients, carers and staff to get involved in discussing the future of the NHS, so it can plan how best to deliver services, now and in the years ahead.

Dr Jon Hayes, clinical chairman of South Gloucestershire CCG, said: “The NHS faces many challenges including an ageing population and a rise in the number of people with long-term conditions. Finances are tight so we have to plan very carefully about where we spend our money to most benefit the people of South Gloucestershire.

“Our role as a CCG is to look at the local population and the health services it needs, now and into the future, and plan the best way to provide this within the resources we have.

“To do this effectively it is essential that we listen to our patients, local communities and partner organisations and work with them to deliver the best services.”

View the survey by visiting www.southgloucestershireccg.nhs.uk or for a printed copy call 0117 9474400. The closing date for consultation responses is December 31.