A SERIES of public meetings are to be held across the region to seek views on changes to hospital maternity and children’s services.

The meetings are being organised as part of the controversial ‘Better Health Programme’, a partnership between clinical commissioning groups and hospital trusts which is feeding into a five year plan for the NHS.

The programme has previously been criticised by Darlington MP Jenny Chapman over its length and cost.

It remains in an ‘engagement’ phase and full consultation on any proposals drawn up is expected to begin in the summer.

Helen Simpson, consultant obstetrician at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, one of about a hundred clinicians on the Better Health Programme, said: “We need to be able to take people’s thoughts and opinions and learn from them.

“Listening to people is absolutely a pivotal part of this process.”

Places are limited for the events and people are asked to register in advance by going online at www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/nhs-better-health-programme-9505048832 or calling 01642-745401.

The full list of meetings is: Wednesday February 1, 4.30pm to 6.30pm, North Ormesby Community Hub and Library Derwent Street, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, TS3 6JB; Thursday February 2, 4pm to 6pm Thornaby Methodist Church, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 9HA; Saturday February 4, 10.30am to 12.30pm, Sunny Field House, 36 Westgate, Guisborough, TS14 6BA; Monday February 6, 5.30pm to 7.30pm, Hartlepool FE College Stockton St, Hartlepool, TS24 7NT; Tuesday February 7, 6pm to 8pm Shotton Hall, Old Shotton, Peterlee, SR8 2PH; Wednesday February 8, 6pm to 8pm, Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel, 9-12 Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NW; Thursday February 9, 4pm to 6pm, Barnard Castle Hub, Ing Lane, Shaw Bank, Barnard Castle, DL12 8TB; Thursday February 23, 11am to 1pm, Sedgefield Parish Hall, Front Street, Sedgefield, TS21 3AT.