Residents of BSW help shape new 10-Year Plan

Over the last few months, the ICB has been actively gathering and speaking to local residents about what they would like to see in the forthcoming 10-Year Plan.

First announced by the Secretary of State in October of last year, the new plan aims to outline how the NHS will evolve into a truly modern health service, and one that can successfully meet the changing needs of the population.

The plan will focus primarily on three shifts that the government, along with clinical experts, agree need to happen. These are:

• Moving care from hospitals to communities
• Making better use of technology
• Focussing on preventing sickness, not just treating it

In Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, the ICB has held meaningful conversations with a range of diverse and dynamic community groups, including people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, those from our local Muslim population and refugees and asylum seekers currently living in Swindon.

Engagement work has also been carried out with the Gypsy, Roma, Boater and Traveller communities in Bath and Wiltshire.

Their thoughts, feelings and opinions have now been shared with our national colleagues for inclusion in the plan, which is expected to be published in May.

Much of the feedback generated by these conversations centred around:

• Praise for the NHS, particularly:
  – That it’s a universal service, available to everyone, free at the point of use.
  – That its staff are hardworking and dedicated, often doing incredible things in difficult circumstances.
  – That it’s their when patients really need it, with emergency services saving lives every day.

• An acknowledgement of current challenges, such as:
  – A lack of available GP appointments.
  – Long waiting times in emergency departments.
  – Services not working together to support patients.
  
  
• Things that would help make the NHS better, including:
  – Easier and quicker access to appointments.
  – Better coordination between different health and care services.
  – Greater investment in staff recruitment and retention .

There is still time for others in BSW to get involved in the shaping of the new 10-Year Plan.

An online survey, in which people can share their ideas for how the NHS can be improved, is currently live at www.change.nhs.uk.

Any person wanting to get involved is advised to complete the survey before the closing date of Monday 14 April.