Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes sustainability and transformation snapshot survey
Download (PDF 1.6 MB)Summary of report content
Following the introduction of the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) Sustainability and Transformation (STP) Plans, local Healthwatch within the BLMK footprint, conducted a snapshot survey in June 2017, using a short questionnaire to determine whether local people were aware of the plans for their area. The questionnaire was designed to: Understand what local people know about the plans a year after the introduction of the STP's; determine whether people feel currently involved in how the plans were taking shape; ascertain whether people want more information about the plans and how this could be achieved; produce an initial entry survey on local people's understanding, to enable the organisations involved to measure improvement in communications, as the STP developed.
Local Healthwatch across the BLMK footprint widely distributed the survey during the period June to September 2017, and spoke with over 345 people.
The main findings are outlined in the Results Summary section, but overall local Healthwatch in the BLMK area would recommend that further communication and engagement be conducted, so that those who use health and care services within their locality are aware of any changes as they take place.
Local Healthwatch recognises that the BLMK STP is an ambiguous and fluid topic, however our findings have highlighted that when people have 'heard of' the STP, they are not confident in their understanding of what it means and want to know more. In addition, the majority of people spoken with felt they had no opportunity to comment on the Plans they had seen. Through the Healthwatch Network, we are aware that there are some other 'footprints' which conduct more robust engagement and communication with the public. These 'footprints' involve local residents in their Plans and local Healthwatch feels that our own 'footprint' would benefit from engaging with the public at every stage of the process.
The report includes 5 recommendations. The report does not include a response from the provider.