People across Hull and East Yorkshire are being invited to have their say on how local health services could be improved for the coming years.

The NHS Long Term Plan, published in January 2019, outlines how the NHS will improve patient care and health outcomes over the next 10 years. It also requires regional partnerships to develop their own five-year plans which outline what changes are required in the local area to make health and care services better for the people who use them.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is now working as part of the Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership to develop a plan to  deliver the requirements of the NHS Long Term Plan in the Humber, Coast and Vale area – Hull and East Yorkshire, North and North East Lincolnshire, Scarborough and Ryedale and the Vale of York.

To help ensure the public, patients and those using care services are able to influence the plan, local Healthwatch organisations – led by Healthwatch East Riding of Yorkshire – are undertaking a piece of work specifically around the NHS Long Term Plan. Their #WhatWouldYouDo campaign runs until the end of April and consists of online surveys and a range of face-to-face engagement events.

People can share their views on how local NHS services in Hull and the East Riding can be improved in the future by completing the following surveys:

• For general feedback, including those who may not currently use health services: www.healthwatch.co.uk/what-would-you-do-general
• For feedback on specific conditions (cancer, heart and lung disease, mental health conditions, dementia, learning disability, autism and long term conditions such as diabetes and arthritis): www.healthwatch.co.uk/tell-us-what-would-you-do

Matthew Fawcett, manager of Healthwatch East Riding of Yorkshire said:

“We know that the NHS only works when people’s voices are heard. This is a once in a generation chance for local people to help decide where this extra money from Government should be spent in our NHS services.

“We want to hear from as many people, groups and communities as possible to ensure the local plans reflect the needs of our population. We want to hear about what works, what doesn’t and how people think local health services should be improved. No matter how big or small the issue, we want to hear about it. Sharing your experience with us is quick and easy – and could make a big difference.”

For more information on #WhatWouldYouDo, please visit www.healthwatch.co.uk/what-would-you-do