Here's a reminder that Maldon residents have a chance later today to take part in the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of those who commission most local health services, from GPs to hospital care.

The Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – which commissions NHS services in Maldon district, including GPs, hospital care and mental health and learning disability services for the area – is throwing the virtual meeting open to the public at 6pm this evening.

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.

You can register your interest in attending the meeting by using the email here.

A link to join the Annual General Meeting has been posted here.