RESIDENTS interested in health can represent their local communities by helping shape future health services.

Basildon and Brentwood Clinical Commissioning Group needs people with an interest in health services to become volunteer members of an influential new patient and community reference group. The new group will discover residents’ views on how changes to health services will affect their local communities in Basildon, Billericay and Wickford.

Dr Anil Chopra, chair of Basildon and Brentwood Clinical Commissioning Group said: “This group will help us make better decisions about how to allocate limited resources. The new patient and community reference group will playacrucial role in making sure future health services will be truly local, designed around the needs of local people.”

The group will meet six times a year and members are appointed for a term of 18 months.

For more information, or to apply, call Louise Forrest on 01268 594554, e-mail bbccg.contact@ nhs.net or visit basildonand brentwoodccg.nhs.uk The closing date for applications is September 30. Potential applicants will also be invited to an informal event on September 25, where they can find out more.