Calls have been made for Dorset to have a say in a neighbouring county’s review of its health services.

Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has launched 'Fit for my Future', a review of health services similar to that already undertaken by the Dorset CCG.

The review will include options for maternity and paediatrics services, including those at Yeovil.

It comes after Dorset CCG announced in December 2017 that it will work to maintain a consultant-led maternity and overnight children’s service at Dorset County Hospital (DCH) after fears that there would be a battle for services between Dorchester and Yeovil.

During a meeting of Dorset County Council’s health scrutiny committee, councillors said it was important that Dorset should have a say in future decisions made by health chiefs.

DCH chief executive Patricia Miller, who attended the meeting, said: “Somerset have very recently commenced their own version of a clinical services review.

“We have been invited to join work streams with them, it’s important that we’re part of their discussions."

Cllr Bill Pipe, committee chairman, questioned whether this meant the Somerset and Dorset CCGs are no longer in competition to provide a pan-north Dorset and south Somerset service.

Mrs Miller said: “Somerset are looking to develop a single service. We don’t know what the configuration of that service will be. It depends where they want to established obstetrics.

“Once we’ve worked out what the model is in Somerset we will know what the implications are for Dorset.”

Cllr Nick Ireland noted that residents from west Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire had a chance to take part in the Dorset CCG clinical services review, and said: “Shouldn’t we have some input?”

Tim Goodson, chief officer of Dorset CCG, said it is too early in the process to know if the review will affect Dorset residents as no decisions have yet been made.

In December 2017, Mr Goodson said the Dorset CCG will remain open to Yeovil Hospital joining part or all of their service with Dorset in the future if that were to be the outcome of Somerset’s review.

Following the health scrutiny meeting, Dorset CCG released a statement clarifying that plans for maternity and paediatric services in Dorset have not changed.

It said: "Our preferred option would be for consultant led paediatrics and maternity to remain in Dorchester.

"Views are being sought on proposals for services in [Somerset]. If, following this process, there is a proposal for services that we think will work then we would only wish to do this if the proposals for Dorset services are met.

"We would consult on any proposals (with or without Yeovil) prior to making any decisions."