‘We need change in our health service,’ say survey respondents

Three quarters of respondents to a survey on the provision of care in West Herts have called for services to improve.
Hemel Hempstead HospitalHemel Hempstead Hospital
Hemel Hempstead Hospital

Following residents’ feedback to the Your Care, Your Future survey, the area’s NHS organisations and Herts County Council have published an interim Case for Change, which identifies opportunities to meet future health and social care needs.

The questionnaire, launched in November, received 729 public responses along with 116 from clinicians, plus more than 20 letters and other forms of correspondence. The response revealed strong consensus that change is needed, with 75% of public responses and 91% of doctors and nurses saying health services in West Herts need to get better.

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Now the Your Care, Your Future team is urging residents to have their say on the findings, to help produce a final blueprint for the future.

Two ‘conversation events’ will be held next Wednesday, March 25 from 6pm to 9pm at Watford Football Club in the town’s Vicarage Road, and Thursday, March 26 from 12.30pm to 3.30pm in Hemel Hempstead’s South Hill Centre, on Cemetery Hill.

All feedback will be taken on board before the final Case for Change is published later this year.

Chairman of the programme executive Dr Nicolas Small said: “The challenge we face in West Herts is significant. The population is growing and people are living longer. It is so important we provide the right care for people in West Herts, and that our health and care services meet the needs of local patients for future generations. We can’t do this without your help.”

Visit yourcareyourfuture.org.uk for more.

Dr Nicolas SmallDr Nicolas Small
Dr Nicolas Small
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Chief executive of HealthWatch Hertfordshire Geoff Brown said: “We are pleased to see that local residents have been given the opportunity to express their views on health and social care services in west Hertfordshire, as it is only with their help that we will be able to provide better care, now and in the future.

“The Case for Change has taken a positive first step towards addressing local health and social care needs, and joining up local services. We look forward to continuing our work with local health organisations, and the county council, to ensure local residents’ voices are heard during every step of the journey to better care.”

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