Public engagement on the NHS Long Term Plan
Following the publication last month of the NHS Long Term Plan, Healthwatch in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) have been working on a scheme to deliver co-ordinated engagement with the public about the plan proposals.
The plan comes after the Government announced the NHS budget would be increased by £20bn a year by 2023 with the biggest funding increases expected in GPs, mental health and community care. This, it is hoped, will allow people to have care closer to home. There will also be a focus on improving the way that people are able to interact with the health service for example, by using digital technologies such as video consultations, and local GP practices will join together in ‘networks’ caring for 30,000 to 50,000 patients. Social, hospital, primary and community care organisations will work together within an integrated system of care.
- Key priorities within the plan include cancer, mental health, care for people with two or more chronic medical conditions, supporting people to age healthily and tackling issues such as dementia and obesity, children’s health, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, learning disability and autism, and maternity care.
-
Starting in March, running through to mid-May, Healthwatch Rutland and Healthwatch Leicester/Leicestershire (HWLL) will run an LLR-wide survey to gather public/patient insight on the delivery of those major themes contained in the plan.
-
We will also run local engagement events in Rutland to seek people’s views on how the themes and priorities of the plan can most effectively be delivered here.
-
Our local data and findings will be collated with those from HWLL in June to present the complete picture of LLR opinion to NHS England, leadership of the LLR Better Care Together programme and Healthwatch England.
-
Look out for further details about how to get involved.
We are delighted to be engaging with Rutland people about the NHS long term plan. It is vitally important that the public get involved as this is their chance to help shape our health and social care services for the future.
