The top four things people in Rochdale would like to see improved in local NHS services

Hundreds of people in Rochdale have shared their views on how to improve NHS health services in the borough.

The top four things people would like to see improved locally were:

• individuals being able to access the help and treatment they need when they want it
• providing tailored support to individuals
• increasing the use of technology for booking appointments
• helping people look after their health so they can remain in their own home

Their views were shared as part of Healthwatch Rochdale’s What Would You Do? campaign and the findings are revealed in a report published today, which can be viewed here:

• healthwatchrochdale.org.uk/report/2019-09-23/top-four-things-people-rochdale-would-see-improved-local-nhs-services

More than 250 Rochdale residents, patients and their families took part in ‘What Would You do?’ activities, which launched in March to encourage people in the borough to share their views about how extra money from the Government should be spent on local NHS services.

The public were asked to give their views about how local services could improve, and to share ideas about how the NHS can help people live healthier lives and take more control of their care.

 

 

Kate Jones, Healthwatch Rochdale Chief Executive Officer, said: “The Government is investing an additional £20 billion a year in the NHS as part of the NHS Long Term Plan. We were asked to help find out what local people thought was the best way for the NHS in Rochdale to invest in the right services as part of this plan.

“It was wonderful to listen to so many people keen to make a difference in our local NHS. These views are all in the report and we will now monitor how the local NHS responds.”

Local mum of two Karen, who has Multiple Sclerosis, shared her views about local NHS services. She would like to see more joined-up care and better use of technology. She said: “I think services need to be joined up to provide adequate support to promote health and wellbeing. If you are chronically ill, care should be designed around the patients, with pathways of care considered to meet the needs of the patient to help them stay well.

“I have seen technology play an important role in offering support to those with chronic illnesses. Online groups can provide immediate support and give you a perspective. It’s not a replacement for speaking to a professional when really needed but should be an extra support mechanism.”

The report has been shared with the local NHS.

Denise Dawson, Governing Body Non Clinical Vice Chair and Lay Member for Patient and Public Engagement at NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group said: “The findings of Healthwatch Rochdale’s What Would You Do? campaign provide valuable insight into what matters to local people and we will be considering them when shaping our plans for local NHS health services to deliver the best outcomes and experiences for people in our borough.

“These themes echo what we have already found whilst working with Rochdale Borough Council on transforming health and care services to ensure the right services are available in the right places, and that our local people are getting the support they need, when they need it.

“To achieve this we’ve introduced innovative ways of working which are already improving the health and wellbeing of Rochdale borough residents. These include putting multidisciplinary teams of health professionals in the heart of communities to deliver a wide range of services, improving the way in which they work together for the needs of local people and ensuring that care is designed around the individual. 

“Other essential services, like our mobile paramedic, have been introduced to speed up the care of patients who are poorly but where hospital admission is not the best care option.”