People are urged to have their say on what cuts should be made to vital services.

There is only a month left of the public consultation being held by NHS groups across Hertfordshire which ends on September 14.

The Let’s Talk events are being held to allow members of the public to have their say about what things should be cut from NHS services.

So far more than 1,500 have voiced expressed their opinions, either at public meetings or online since the proposed changes were published on July 6.

The next public meeting will be held at Allum Hall in Elstree on September 6, but the Herts Valley CCG will be holding a stand at Herts Pride on September 2.

NHS Herts Valleys and NHS East and North Hertfordshire Clinical Commissioning Groups have been challenged to find tens of millions in savings.

The groups aim to focus on preventative measures as a way to save money by making smokers and those classed as obese to improve their heath before being put forward for non-urgent surgery.

Some of the money-saving initiatives include stopping prescriptions for medicine that can be bought without prescription, gluten-free foods, female sterilisation, vasectomies in some areas and reducing or stopping IVF services.

So far more than 50 locations have held events from drop-ins at local hospitals and public meetings to visiting play and family groups at community centres.

Herts Valleys Chair Dr Nicolas Small said: “We’ve been working hard to make sure that the communities we serve can have their say about the future of their NHS. To date, more than 1,500 people have submitted comments online and we want many more, from every walk of life, to have their say.

“Wherever possible we are looking to make savings that won’t affect patients - so we’re cutting administration costs within our organisations, making more efficient use of technology and buildings and making sure all health care is delivered efficiently.

“But some of our proposed changes will have an impact on local services, and we are committed to listening and learning so that we can provide essential help and support to everyone who needs it.”

For more detailed information about the proposals, and upcoming events visit http://www.healthierfuture.org.uk/nhsletstalk.