Bridgetown will have a number of workshops early in February.

WA Country Health Service acting chief executive Dr Felicity Jefferies said the Southern Inland Health Initiative Service Planning Workshops were an important step in the future development and enhancement of health services in the Wellington/Blackwood region.

“These workshops will help align future health services with community health needs and importantly, provide the information that is required to properly plan for any redevelopment,” Dr Jefferies said.

“This is the first step in the planning process to develop a Warren-Blackwood Health District service plan which will define what services will be needed in the future.

“In addition a site survey and building condition audit of the Warren Hospital facility was undertaken in mid-January, providing a snap shot assessment of the actual condition of the facility.”

“When combined with the services planning, this information is essential in planning and prioritising future health service and health facility developments in the Collie area.”

The workshops, which will be held in two phases, will discuss people's views about the future health needs of their community.

An initial workshop to kickstart the health service planning took place in November with staff and major stakeholders that we work with to provide health services such as St John Ambulance, Silver Chain and HACC services.

The first round of health program focussed workshops, which will examine areas including child and community health and inpatient services, will occur in early February.

“Community members are very welcome to attend any that are of particular interest,” Dr Jefferies said.

A public forum will also be held in Bridgetown on February 8.

Workshops will also be held on February 9 and 10.

The venues are Silver Chain, next to Bridgetown Hospital and the Bridgetown Gardens Centre in Kangaroo Gully.

People wishing to attend any of the planning workshops and/or the public forum should contact Gina Pratt on 9782 1269 or gina.pratt@health.wa.gov.au.

Anyone unable to attend this forum can lodge a public submission by completing the feedback form at www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/ha veyoursay.

The Southern Inland Health Initiative, funded under the Royalties for Regions program, includes a $240 million investment in the regional health workforce as well as $325 million for capital works over the next five years.