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 wellbeing.

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.

Pictured: Paul Shirley, General Manager of Healthwatch Telford & Wrekin, with Lynn Cawley, Chief Officer of Healthwatch Shropshire.