NHS Long Term Plan Project Healthwatch Staffordshire and Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent
The NHS Long Term plan project, from 2019/20, was the result of collaboration between Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent , Healthwatch Staffordshire and Healthwatch England . Its purpose was to share the views of the general public when asked about Health and Care across the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Sustainability and Transformation Partnership5 (STP) footprint. It was the result of engagement with the public about the NHS Long Term Plan.
Key Areas of Focus
• How to help people have a healthy life
• How to help people manage and choose the support they need
• How To help people keep their independence and stay healthy as they get older
• How people would like to interact with their local NHS
• Peoples experience of getting help and support
• How to improve Health and care support after initially seeking help
• How expectations of care are met at each stage
Responses about the above areas were gathered in surveys
Two key testimonials
“This is an excellent and thorough piece of work which truly gathers the views of patients across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent and gives the Clinical Commissioning Groups food for thought when we use what people said to turn the NHS Long Term plan into local decision making to meet their needs.”
Dr Lorna Clarson, Clinical Chair for Stoke-on-Trent Clinical Commissioning Group
“The independent voice provided by Healthwatch Staffordshire and Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent is a crucial part of the Together We’re Better partnership. This very welcome report, which captures the views of local people on what they want to see change in health and care following the publication of the NHS Long Term Plan, will form a key building block in the development of our refreshed Five Year Plan, due out in the autumn. We thank Healthwatch Staffordshire and Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent for carrying out this work.”
Sir Neil McKay, Together We’re Better Chair
Click here for the full report
Key recommendations were:
Focus on prevention including identification of priority areas based on population health together with long-term financial investment and a clear line of accountability for achieving positive change.
• Health and Care services to develop a joined-up approach to communication and information provision for all members of our communities so that they are enabled to keep themselves well whilst taking account of Data Protection legislation.
• Community assets that alleviate loneliness or promote communities should be considered, monitored and recognised as integral to the overall approach. This includes engaging the third sector in a meaningful way and accepting that financial investment is needed in the third sector if a gap cannot be met by health and care services.
• Transport should be understood as a key determinant of health, especially in rural communities. It should be at the heart of planning beyond the placement of health and care services and done so jointly.
• Carers should be supported to fulfil their role and services such as respite given higher priority.
• Access to mental health should be improved and recognition of possible mental health conditions be considered when diagnosing conditions.
• The use of technology in healthcare should be a choice, addressing the needs of patients who may not be comfortable with it but maximising opportunity for those that are.
• Easier access to test results and information where appropriate so that patients can become active participants in their care.
• Improved communication between services and move towards an integrated, digital system.
• GP reception staff should be trained to communicate with young people and other vulnerable groups to enable them to feel more confident to engage. This should form part of Care Navigation training where delivered.
• Every effort should be made to ensure continuity of care in all settings, especially with at-risk groups and young people for whom the building of a relationship is important.
• The NHS’ comprehensive service should extend to residential care and care homes, providing simple access to services such as physio’s, occupational therapists, dentists and district nursing, hearing specialists and others.
• Staff training in care homes should be key priority for the NHS as well as increased supervision of establishments where required.