More than 500 people from across Essex shared their views on the NHS 10-year plan.
Their feedback will help shape future health and care services across Essex. It will also help NHS organisations and local partners understand what matters most to people when planning services for the future.
About the NHS 10-year plan
The NHS 10-year plan sets out how health and care services can improve over the next decade.
The plan focuses on three key changes:
- moving more care from hospitals into local communities
- making better use of technology and digital services
- preventing illness and helping people stay healthy
To help develop the NHS 10-year plan, people across the country were invited to share their experiences and ideas.
How we gathered feedback
We wanted to hear from a wide range of people and communities across Essex.
Community groups, NHS staff, local organisations and residents took part in focus groups, workshops and online discussions. More than 500 people shared their views as part of the NHS 10-year plan engagement programme.
This included people from communities whose voices are not always heard in health and care discussions.
What people told us about digital healthcare
Many people support the NHS 10-year plan ambition to make greater use of technology.
People said services such as the NHS App can make healthcare more convenient by helping them:
- book appointments
- view health records
- access health information
- manage their care online
However, people also raised concerns about:
- data security and privacy
- the use of artificial intelligence (AI)
- digital skills and confidence
- access for people who do not use digital technology
People said digital services should be secure, easy to use and available alongside non-digital options.
What people told us about community healthcare
People generally supported the NHS 10-year plan proposal to provide more care closer to home.
Many felt local services could:
- reduce travel time
- improve access to care
- make services more convenient
- reduce pressure on hospitals
- help people recover in familiar surroundings
People also saw benefits in virtual wards, local health hubs and community diagnostic services.
Concerns about community care
Although people supported the idea, they also raised concerns.
These included:
- shortages of healthcare staff
- access to social care
- support for unpaid carers
- transport difficulties
- differences in services between areas
Many people said community services must be properly funded and planned before more care is moved away from hospitals.
What people told us about preventing illness
Prevention was strongly supported by participants in the NHS 10-year plan engagement.
People said helping people stay healthy should be a priority.
They highlighted the importance of:
- early diagnosis and screening
- mental health support
- reducing loneliness and isolation
- tackling health inequalities
- healthy lifestyles
- clear and trusted health information
- tackling misinformation
Many people said prevention services should be easy to access and available within local communities.
They also felt support should be tailored to individual needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
What people said needs to happen next
People said the success of the NHS 10-year plan will depend on:
- long-term investment in services
- better joined-up working between organisations
- putting patients at the centre of care
- reducing health inequalities
- regularly reviewing and improving services
People want health and care services that are accessible, inclusive and designed around the needs of local communities.