The Colosseum dental group recently ended three of their contracts to provide NHS dental services in Portsmouth and the mydentist group previously ended their contracts to provide NHS services in in Alton and Tadley.

NHS England is responsible for buying NHS dental services and is planning to put in place some new long-term contracts to provide more dental services in these locations, to replace those where contracts have ended. NHS England want to make sure that the new services take into account what is most important to you when using NHS dental services.
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Please share your views by completing the online survey on the NHS engagement website. The survey is open until 21 October 2019.

If you would prefer to complete the survey in writing or need the information in a different language please call 0113 824 9119 or email england.wessexdental@nhs.net.

The NHS Long Term Plan (LTP) was published in January 2019 describing ambitions for improved cancer outcomes and services in England over the next ten years.
 
The key ambitions in the NHS Long Term Plan for Cancer are:

• by 2028, the proportion of cancers diagnosed at stages 1 and 2 will increase from around half now to three-quarters of cancer patients; and
• from 2028, 55,000 more people each year will survive their cancer for at least five years after diagnosis.

 
With our partner organisations, the Wessex Cancer Alliance is responsible for realising the LTP ambitions for the population of Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
 
Following the development of the Wessex Strategic Vision for Cancer and Independent Cancer Taskforce strategy, both published in 2015, the Alliance has completed a review of achievements across our geography and now plan to refresh the Wessex Cancer Strategy in response to the Long Term Plan.
 
The strategy will describe the population needs and propose ambitious objectives for service improvement to deliver the commitments set out in the NHS Long Term Plan, seeking to address unwarranted variation, improve patient experience, and be supported by appropriate workforce.
 
A consultation event on the afternoon of Thursday, 19th September 2019 will take place to describe the achievements across the Wessex area to date and to draft content of the refreshed cancer strategy. A series of workshops will be held afterwards where participants will be invited to input directly into the core elements of the future strategy for Wessex Cancer Services.
 
The event will take place between 1.00pm and 5.00pm at The Ageas Bowl, Botley Road, West End, Southampton, Hampshire, SO30 3XH.   
 
Places are limited so prior registration is required. Please email england.wessexscn@nhs.net to register for the event. When registering for the event please state if you have any dietary requirements (lunch will be provided).

Communities Against Cancer is a project to help people reduce their risk of cancer, be aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer, and seek help at an earlier stage.

Funded by Wessex Cancer Alliance and managed by the charity, Action Hampshire, the project aims to benefit people who are less likely to know how to look after their health or are less able to do so. You don’t need to be knowledgeable about cancer to apply for a grant, as Action Hampshire will provide Cancer Champion training.

They are offering grants of up to £500 to help organisations and individuals join them in this mission.

The project is focused on the Isle of Wight, urban south Hampshire, and south Dorset. If your organisation works in or near these areas then please share your ideas of how you can help your community improve their cancer-related health outcomes. 

Application deadline: Mon 30 Sep and then the last working day of each month, up to Fri 28 Feb 2020.

Visit their website for more information and a copy of the application form. If you have any queries about applying for a grant, please email Kevin Sawers or call 01962 857358.

Join the Patient and Public Voices Forum, and help put people and communities at the heart of the NHS Cancer Programme
 
The NHS Cancer Programme exists to improve early diagnosis, survival, quality of life and patient experience for people with cancer across England.
 
Our Patient and Public Voices Forum allows the NHS Cancer Programme to be shaped by patient, carer and family perspectives.
 
We are looking for people across England, who are passionate about the NHS, and can spare a few days this year to help us transform cancer services.
 
For an information pack and details of how to apply please contact Kaz Obuka:
 
kalu.obuka1@nhs.net
075775544914
 
The closing date for applications is Monday 30 September 2019.

NHS England and NHS Improvement’s new national initiative, CYPNCPES, is seeking three Youth Advisers aged 16-20 who have been previously treated for cancer. CYPNCPES works with children and young people under 16 to understand their cancer care experience.
 
Youth Advisers will form part of an Advisory group to develop a new patient experience survey to support the improvement of cancer care.
 
Youth Advisers will need to attend a series of meetings and telephone calls over an initial 18 month period. Travel costs for face to face meetings will be covered. 

Full details can be found here but if you have any further queries, please contact  Melinda Smith in the Insight & Feedback team  at melinda.smith1@nhs.net. Applications close on 13 September 2019.