PUBLIC comments regarding cross-border healthcare will be among the topics discussed at a meeting on September 30.

Residents in the area can meet Healthwatch Glou­cestershire board members and hear about the work of the organisation, as well as ask questions to the Aneurin Bevin Health Board and South Western Ambulance Services.

Healthwatch chair and chief executive, Claire Feehily and Barbara Piranty will provide a Healthwatch update on the patient and public feedback received in the first half of the year, including Forest-specific issues and the key priorities identified for the year, which include hospital discharge, non-emergency patient transport services, access to podiatry, mental health early intervention for young people and GP appointments. Task groups have been set-up to look at three of these issues already and Healthwatch is asking for recent experiences, good and bad, in all priority areas.

Ms Feehily said: "Getting out to the districts is really important to us and to hear from residents about the issues affecting them and how they can help influence, shape and change the way services are planned and delivered in the county."

Healthwatch, the independent consumer champion for health and social care was set-up a year ago as part of the Health and Social Care Act 2012, giving adults and children a 'powerful' voice in helping to challenge and influence the way health and social care services are planned and delivered locally.

The board meeting will be held at Bells Hotel in Coleford from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.