The 10-Year Health Plan for England, as well as Dr Penny Dash’s independent review of Patient Safety have now both been published.
The Ten Year Health Plan was published on 3rd July. Although it sets out some important changes for the NHS, many of which we welcome, it calls for the closure of the national and local Healthwatches to end “independent patient voice”.
This is echoed in Dr Penny Dash’s independent review of patient safety, published on 7th July, which says that listening to patients and bringing about improvements to services, should pass from Healthwatches to organisations who are in charge of commissioning health services. So no longer having independent patient voice.
Both reports do however call for changes which we support and which we hope will lead to improvements for patients. These include:
- better access to GPs and dentists
- a better NHS App
- a simpler complaints system
- personalised mental health emergency care
- a focus on patient experience
- more use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics
- a national strategy for improving adult social care
Our Response
Since 2013 we have been committed to listening to the views of the people of Camden and bringing about the improvements that they want to see locally.
Until further announcements are made, our overwhelming priority will be to continue to serve local residents with the same energy and professionalism as we have prior to the announcement, listening to what matters to them and championing their views whilst sharing their experiences and concerns to those in power.
If you have anything that concerns you about your health or care, please do get in touch, by emailing us on info@healthwatchcamden.co.uk or calling us on 0207 383 2402.