Speak up on health plans

Rochdale residents are being given the chance to tell the NHS what they think about future health priorities in the area.

The “Speak Up. It’s Your Health” consultation, led by NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale (NHS HMR) is asking residents to comment on their proposals for the next five years.

The NHS HMR receives more than £330 million from the Government to buy health services and is looking how best to use this money to improve the health and well-being of everyone in Rochdale.

Trevor Purt, Chief Executive of the PCT, said: “We’ve outlined our future health plans for the next five years to improve the health and wellbeing of our local residents and we want to know if we are focusing on the right areas.

“We want to provide the right services, in the right place, at the right time and by the right healthcare professional, so the views and comments from our local residents are really important to us.

“We want everyone in the borough to get involved and stay involved, as we shape their future health services.”

Preventing ill health is central within the plan, helping people to lead a healthier lifestyle and live longer. Future plans include developing more care closer to home, developing more GP and dental services, ensuring high quality hospital care, and improving mental health, children and young peoples’ and adult and older peoples’ services.

Residents aged over 16 and registered with a GP, will be receiving a copy through the post of the “Speak Up! It’s Your Health” consultation booklet outlining the PCT’s plans and a feedback questionnaire.

As an incentive and a thank you for taking part, people who complete the form by 7 November will be entered into a free prize draw. Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd include a choice of a Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit, a weekend break for two or a 12 month leisure pass for two.

People can also go to www.speakupnow.co.uk where they will be able to find out more about the consultation, complete the questionnaire online and discuss the PCT’s plans for improving health.

In addition there will be consultation events in Middleton, Rochdale and Heywood throughout September and October and a number of focus group sessions to discuss the health plans.

The plans will be discussed with local organisations, such as Rochdale Council and local hospital and mental health trusts. A wide range of community and voluntary groups will also be asked to get involved. Plans will also be presented to each Township Group and at other local committees.

Trevor Purt continued: "We want to involve local people and their representatives in their plans for local health. This consultation will help them to do that by seeking public feedback, keeping people informed, listening to and acknowledging concerns and aspirations and providing feedback on how public input influenced their plans."

The consultation period will run until 7 November and the final plan will be published in March 2009.