News from our partners: Have your say on how the NHS should improve

News from our partners Healthwatch Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin

People keen to influence the future of the NHS in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin are being encouraged to make their views known. The NHS is developing a local plan and needs your help.

With growing pressures on the NHS – an ageing population, more people living longer with  long-term conditions, and lifestyle choices affecting people’s health – changes are needed to make sure everyone gets the support they need.

The Government is investing £20 billion a year in the NHS and nationally has developed the NHS Long Term Plan. This Long Term Plan sets out all the things it wants health services to do better for people across the country. Now your local NHS needs to hear from you about what those changes should look like in our community.

Independent health and care champions Healthwatch Shropshire and Healthwatch Telford & Wrekin are launching a new campaign ‘What would you do?’ to encourage people to share their views with our local Sustainability and Transformation Partnership.

The public are being asked for their views in two surveys; one about how services for cancer, mental health conditions, heart and lung diseases, long-term conditions, such as diabetes and arthritis, learning disabilities, autism, and dementia could be improved. In the other they will also be asked to share their ideas on how people can live healthier lives and what improvements would make it easier for people to take control of their own health and well-being.

Paul Shirley, General Manager of Healthwatch Telford & Wrekin, said:

“We know that the NHS only works when people’s voices are heard. This is a chance for local people to help decide where this extra money from Government should be spent in our NHS services in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.”

Lynn Cawley, Chief Officer of Healthwatch Shropshire, added:-

“We want to hear from as many people, groups and communities as possible to ensure the local plans reflect the needs of our population. We want to hear about what works, what doesn’t and how people think local health services should be improved. No matter how big or small the issue, we want to hear about it. Sharing your experience with us is quick and easy – and could make a big difference.”

Details of both surveys can be found here: https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/what-would-you-do

Healthwatch Shropshire and Healthwatch Telford & Wrekin are the independent consumer champions for health and social care in the county of Shropshire and the borough of Telford & Wrekin. They gather the views and experiences of patients, service users, carers, and the general public about services including hospitals, GPs, mental health services, community health services, pharmacists, opticians, residential care and children’s services.  They also have statutory powers that can be used to influence service provision by encouraging improvements.

Further information

Healthwatch Shropshire is one of a network of 148 Local Healthwatch in England. It is supported by a national organisation, Healthwatch England.

It has a team working in community engagement, plus a volunteer programme, a visit programme to health and social care premises and an associate membership scheme to involve the public in its work.  It also has a signposting service to help people access health and social care services and support.

Healthwatch Shropshire also provides the Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service (IHCAS) for Shropshire. The IHCAS service provides information, advice and, if necessary, can support people through the NHS complaints process.

Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) is made up of health and care commissioners and providers. Partners include Shropshire Council, Telford & Wrekin Council, NHS Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust and West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin STP has been created to encourage health and care organisations to work more closely together to improve outcomes and care for local people, reduce pressures on services and make best use of our financial resources.

It sets out ambitious plans for transformed neighbourhood services; safe and effective hospital care; ways in which new technology can be harnessed; and how gaps in the workforce can be filled and financial resources better spent.

Shropshire, Telford & Shropshire STP is one of 44 sustainability and transformation partnerships across England.