People from across Ayrshire will soon have an opportunity to hold health chiefs to account.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s annual review by Maree Todd, minister for social care, mental wellbeing and sport, is being held on Monday, September 4.

The public session will take place at 2pm in the Common Rooms 1 and 2 of the Macdonald Education Centre at University Hospital, Ayr.

For the first time in Ayrshire and Arran, the meeting will be hybrid with members of the public able to come along to observe and listen to the meeting in person or join online via a live streaming option.

Those wishing to attend – either in person or online – will need to book their place in advance.

Claire Burden, chief executive of NHS Ayrshire & Arran, recognises the NHS board are answerable to the public.

She said: “These annual reviews are a key component in how NHS boards are held to account for the significant public investment made in them.

“For the last few years, as a result of the restrictions and pressures of Covid-19,  it wasn’t possible to have members of the public present.

“And so it is great to be able to invite the public along once again. To make it even easier, we’ve also introduced the option of joining online.

“If you are joining the meeting online and have a question you’d like to ask, please note that we can only answer questions that have been submitted in advance. Those attending in person can submit their question in advance, or ask their question during the public session if time allows.

“We will try to answer all questions during the session.

“However, in the event that we run out of time and don’t get to your question, we will provide a written response within eight weeks. Please note that it will not be possible to answer questions about patient-specific issues.”

The review will be recorded and uploaded onto the NHS Ayrshire & Arran website. Visit www.nhsaaa.net and follow the link.

To book your place, either in person or online, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nhs-ayrshire-arran-ministerial-annual-review-public-session-tickets-685517951647?aff=oddtdtcreator. 

Once you have booked your place, organisers will be in touch so you can submit any questions in advance. People should state if they have any special requirements.