Long Term Plan Sussex and East Surrey Report

This report forms the response to the NHS England Long Term plan from people in Sussex and East Surrey. A total of 648 responses were received across the three local Healthwatch areas on what matters most to people about their care and support needs.

Consistent themes include:

• People accessing cancer services gave overwhelmingly positive responses

• People were aware of the importance of diet and exercise in leading a healthy life and the need for individuals to take more responsibility for their own health

• People spoke about a ‘more holistic approach’ to care and good examples were given highlighting the need and desire for more personalised care going forward; and

• People sharing views on mental health support formed most of the negative responses

Themes around current views on the NHS included:

• Availability and timeliness of appointments

• Being able to see any medically appropriate health professional, whilst recognising the need for continuity of care

• More joined up understanding between physical and mental health; and

• Communication, Communication, Communication with patients, staff and organisations

The report also includes summaries of Focus Group activity with specific groups of people across the area. The main findings from these engagement activities were:

Gaps in service area from primary mental health support to crisis support

Parents of young adults with learning disabilities spoke in terms of ‘fights’ and ‘battles’

Referring into young people’s mental health services remains a challenge; and

The need for a trusting and respectful relationship between patients and mental health professionals

The views and experiences of older people are reflected in all the sections of the survey findings, together with the perceptions, where captured, of how the NHS should respond to the increasing elderly population of the area.