CCGs in Portsmouth area want views on future of NHS

The three clinical commissioning groups covering Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport, and South Eastern Hampshire, have started a consultation on the future of services.

Your Big Health Conversation will ask for thoughts on how healthcare can be improved while the NHS budget is struggling.

Questions will include:

n How can the NHS help people to live healthier lives, and manage their own health more effectively?

n How does the health system cope with the growing shortage of GPs?

n What does a seven-day NHS mean in reality?

Dr David Chilvers, the chair of the Fareham and Gosport CCG governing body, said: ‘Some changes to our local NHS are inevitable.

‘There are tremendous opportunities to improve services, and to make life better for our patients – we can do more to help people stay healthy, and also to offer better care when they’re ill.

‘But if we are going to achieve that we must make the best possible use of the resources we have.

‘Simply having the same staff, working in the same way, in the same places, and somehow expecting them to deliver the greater levels of care we all need is just not realistic.

‘That means we need to have an open, frank conversation with people about what they want and need from the NHS in the future.’

The consultation the first stage in an ongoing process of involving people in the future of healthcare. It is asking broad questions about how they see the future of the NHS.

But in the coming months it is likely health leaders will also raise more specific subjects.

Councillor Luke Stubbs, cabinet member for public health at Portsmouth City Council, welcomed the consultation.

He said: ‘After people came to me with concerns, I approached Portsmouth CCG about how residents’ voices could be heard.

‘I know they have been working with Fareham and Gosport CCG, and South Eastern Hampshire CCG, to develop a programme of engagement activity. I’m pleased people will get to have their say.’

To take part in the survey visit surveymonkey.co.uk/r/bighealthconversation.