CAMPAIGNERS fighting to protect local health services will make their voices heard at consultation events being held next week ahead of a proposed shake-up.

Following a meeting this week in Weymouth, the Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is holding a series of further drop-in sessions around the county in the coming days as it seeks to give people the chance to have their say on its Clinical Services Review, which will shape the future of the county's health services.

The sessions include meetings in Bridport and Dorchester and campaigners who have spent nearly two years fighting to protect local services, particularly paediatric and maternity services at Dorset County Hospital, will be out on force.

The first session is being held at Bridport Town Hall on Monday from 2pm to 8pm and campaigners will be meeting at Bucky Doo Square from 4pm before marching to the venue.

A similar march will be held in Dorchester on Thursday, with the protestors meeting at the Borough Gardens from 4pm to march to the Dorford Centre, where a drop-in session will be taking place again from 2pm to 8pm.

In Swanage residents will have two opportunities to have their say in the coming days with a Swanage Forum open meeting at Emmanuel Baptist Church Centre next Wednesday from 7pm and a CCG drop-in event at the same venue on Tuesday, January 17 from 2pm to 8pm.

There will also be another drop-in session on Tuesday, January 24 at Easton Methodist Church on Portland from 2.30pm to 8pm.

Local GP and Green Party councillor Dr Jon Orrell is urging residents to defend themselves from NHS cuts and safeguard community care.

Dr Orrell, who will speak at the Swanage Forum meeting, said that he had concerns about what was "not included in the public consultation document" and the impact of the proposed changes to emergency and community services in Dorset.

He said: "In order to make informed choices, it is important to be aware that this current consultation is not about improvement and investment.

"It is about government underfunding and cuts."

The consultation closes on Tuesday, February 28.

For more information, or to have your say online, visit dorsetvision.nhs.uk