HEALTH chiefs are asking Maldon residents to join an Annual General Meeting (AGM) next Tuesday (29 September).

The Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – which commissions most local NHS services, including GPs, hospital care and mental health and learning disability services for Maldon – is throwing the virtual meeting open to the public. It will take place from 6pm to 7pm.

It is the very first time that the meeting has been held online and means many more local people may want to take part.

Anyone attending will be able to hear from local decision makers about what has been happening in healthcare in mid Essex during the last year, plans for next year – and to ask any questions.

Dr Anna Davey, Chair of NHS Mid Essex CCG said: "In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken the decision to hold this year's AGM virtually.

"We will look back on improvements in patient care in mid-Essex during 2019-20 before discussing the future and the challenges ahead, including the response and recovery to Covid-19. We will also present our annual accounts for 2019-20, with a focus on how and where our budget was spent.

"I hope members of the public will join us as it is important that local residents are kept updated on how the CCG is performing."

Members of the public can ask questions in a virtual question and answer session during the meeting.

However, if you would prefer to submit your question in advance you can email it by 5pm on Friday, 25 September, at the email link provided here. You should also register your interest in attending the meeting by using this email.

A link to join the Annual General Meeting will be posted here one week prior to the scheduled meeting date.