People in Bath have said they want health providers to support them to live healthier lifestyles, offer better access to services and make sure the professionals they see understand their needs.
Their views have been collected as part of the recent ‘Our Health Our Future’ engagement campaign run by NHS and Local Authority organisations seeking to find out what people want from future health and care services.
The survey results, alongside separate findings collected by independent health champion Healthwatch, will now be used by health and care leaders as they develop plans for how services across the area will be organised over the next five years.
The Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Long Term Plan will be published online over the next few weeks.
People taking part in the survey said they would like to be given the opportunities, advice and information they need to live healthier lifestyles and be more aware of symptoms of diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure so they could seek help earlier.
They said it should be easier to see staff at surgeries and waiting times for appointments and operations in hospitals should be reduced.
Lots of respondents also said they didn’t always feel listened to or taken seriously by the health and care professionals they saw. Younger respondents said they would value better access to mental health services and support.
Tracey Cox, Chief Executive Office for Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire CCGs said: “As the wider health and care system in B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire draws up plans for the next five years, it is essential that we listen to the views of local people so we can ensure our services provide support through every stage of people’s lives and help them start well, live well and age well.
“I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to fill in our survey or talk to us. The views they have shared will play an important role in how we develop our health and care services in BSW over the coming years.”
Dr Ian Orpen, Chairman of the BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Board said: “As our population ages and the health and care services we provide come under increasing pressure, it is going to be more important than ever before to help people live healthy lifestyles and take more control of their own health and wellbeing.
“The Our Health Our Future survey has shown this is a priority for local people and it will certainly be reflected in our plans over the coming years.
“At the same time, we will also need to take into account the financial pressures our local health and care system is facing now and in the future.”
