Long Term Plan Cheshire and Merseyside Report
Download (PDF 9.88 MB)Summary of report content
This report forms the response from Cheshire and Merseyside to the NHS England Long Term Plan. It is based on 2487 survey responses, consisting of 1928 general surveys and 559 specific condition surveys. There were also 320 attendees across 21 specific focus group events. This meant that Healthwatch were able to capture 2807 pieces of information across Cheshire and Merseyside.
The most important factor for people to ensure they are leading a healthy life is to have access to the help and treatment needed when it is wanted. People also want professionals to listen to them. Other comments centred on access to healthy lifestyles, better local infrastructure, availability of more self-help information to support the prevention of illness and a more joined up approach to appointments and referrals with more community support.
People want easy access to quality GP appointments at times to suit them.
People told us that the ability to stay in their own home for as long as it is safe to do so was the most important factor to helping them stay independent and healthy as they get older. Comments also focused on the need for more information on the community support available, more home visits from professionals and carers, more funding for palliative care and the integration of health and social care services to provide better continuity of care. The need to feel financially secure and the impact of poor public transport links on loneliness and isolation were also emphasised.
Respondents overwhelmingly stated that choosing the right treatment should be a joint decision between the individual and relevant healthcare professional. Other dominant themes covered funding, the benefits of continuity of staffing, good quality service information and timely communication
When interacting with the NHS, most respondents felt that being able to talk to their doctor or health professional wherever they are was most important. Other important factors were considered to be confidence regarding security of personal data, clear communication channels and good access to services including GP appointments. Comments regarding the use of technology were mixed emphasising that a wide choice methods of information provision should be available.
People across Cheshire and Merseyside commented on challenges facing them through their treatment journey and the impact that service change and transformation may have on this, including population increases. A number of people feel frustrated with the system but also reflect upon funding and ongoing issues facing the NHS.
Those with specific conditions on the whole found their experience of getting help in regard to their condition to be positive. People with Cancer were generally the most positive about their experience and waiting times to access assessment and treatment. People with Mental Health conditions tended to report poorer experiences and found waiting times for assessment and support to be very slow. Responses from those with heart and lung conditions or other long-term conditions such as diabetes or arthritis across Cheshire and Merseyside were often mixed with some people finding their experience and waiting times to be good and others finding it to be inadequate. People with all of the conditions we asked about provided mixed responses about whether they would like to prioritise seeing a professional they had seen before even if it meant a longer wait, or seeing any professional appropriate if it meant they were seen quicker for each stage of their care journey.