National healthcare debate launched
pharmafile | September 15, 2005 | News story | |Â Â Â
The first of four major events aimed at stimulating debate about the future of healthcare in the community has been launched in Gateshead.
The large-scale public consultation dubbed 'Your Say' has been inspired by similar events in the US, with Gateshead being the first of four regional public meetings, followed by Leicester, London and Plymouth.
The UK government hopes greater engagement in the sometimes difficult choices needed in healthcare will help shape the future of the NHS outside hospitals.
Health secretary Patricia Hewitt will also be looking for a mandate for government policies, including opening up primary care services to multiple providers.
The public will be asked three questions during the consultation:
1) How can people look after themselves? How can we help you take care of yourself and support you and your family in your daily lives?
2) When you and your family need help and support, how, when, where and from whom do you want to get it?
3) How can we help you get the right services, when you need them, and ensure your care and support is properly co-ordinated?
The public will also be asked to consider other burning issues, including how older people can stay independent and in their own homes, and how the root causes of ill health can be tackled.
"This exercise is a chance for us to see democracy in action and really listen to what people want and what they don't want," said Patrica Hewitt at the launch of the Your Say consultation.
"More than five million people in England live more than 10 miles from a hospital and around 90% of all the contact that people have with the NHS and care services takes place in the community. It therefore makes sense for us to focus our attention on these services and ask the public for ideas on what they should look like in the future."
The initiative will run for eight weeks, and will include consultations run by local authorities to find out what patients, service users, carers, the public and staff think about local services.
An online survey is also available at www.nhs.uk/yoursay and ideas from the consultation will be brought together at a Citizens Day event in Birmingham on 29 October, which 1,000 participants are expected to attend.
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Related links:
Public involvement part of Labour's vision for primary care
Tuesday , June 28, 2005
