Hospital chiefs are going on the road to spread the word about how NHS services are changing across Dorset.

Residents are being encouraged to attend the health information event in Swanage.

The Mowlem Theatre in Shore Road will be taken over for the day by representatives from University Hospitals Dorset, which runs Royal Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Hospitals, Dorset County Hospital, Dorset HealthCare and NHS Dorset Integrated Care System.

Attendees will be able to learn about the new building at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, which includes a new maternity unit, children’s health and critical care, and the new theatres at Poole Hospital.

Bournemouth Echo: Royal Bournemouth Hospital artists impression

Likewise, information will be available on Dorset County Hospital’s new emergency department and care unit.

There will also be details on outpatient assessment centres and what is being done to tackle waiting lists.

Isabel Smith, University Hospitals Dorset’s medical director for strategy and transformation, said: “We are reorganising how we deliver health services in Dorset.

“This gives the right expertise available for emergency care, around the clock, on one site whilst ring-fencing beds and capability on another site for planned operations to ensure procedures go ahead throughout the year.

Bournemouth Echo: Isabel SmithIsabel Smith (Image: UHD)

“These information events are vitally important so we can describe these changes and listen to the voices of people who use our services to find out what really matters to them.”

As well as the information on offer, LiveWell Dorset will be giving free health checks and Covid vaccinations will be available for those wanting their first or second vaccine, the over 75s and people with weakened immune systems.

The free event takes place from 10am to 4pm on Thursday, June 29.

Royal Bournemouth Hospital’s state-of-the-art BEACH building reached a key milestone last month with its ‘topping out’ celebration.

Bournemouth Echo: The BEACH building 'topping out' event at Royal Bournemouth HospitalThe BEACH building 'topping out' event at Royal Bournemouth Hospital (Image: Newsquest)

The six-storey building is set to welcome patients in 2025, while the new theatres at Poole Hospital have already started to treatments.

Construction work on the new emergency department and critical care unit in Dorchester are due to begin next year subject to final approval from the government and Dorset Council.

The facilities at Dorset County Hospital will be built on part of the site of the former Damers School building, which is being demolished for the new building.