Engaging people in the NHS success regime

Healthwatch Cumbria (HWC) was commissioned through the West, North and East NHS Success Regime (SR) to carry out extensive engagement activity. This was to ensure that people had been involved in the development of the thinking to address the significant challenges facing the health and care system in Cumbria. An extensive period of engagement was planned and delivered by the HWC team from December 2015 to the end of April 2016, using questionnaires and an on-line survey. Detailed analysis was carried out by our partners at the University of Cumbria and this report provides a summary of what people have told us. Interim reports were provided to the SR work streams during this time. The findings are presented from both topic areas and locality perspectives.

Key messages in relation to each of the topic areas from the whole area perspective are: Community hospitals, Acute medicine at the West Cumberland Hospital, Maternity services, Children’s services, Facilities at West Cumberland Hospital, Specialist services, Mental health services and GP services.

There are some consistent and important key messages from the people of West, North and East Cumbria in this report. People feel strongly about their services and have the right to be involved in shaping them for the future. HWC has spent many hours listening to people and recording their thoughts, responses and ideas. People are concerned and, at times, angry about the implications of the SR and are increasingly wanting to be involved.

However, it should also be noted that this analysis shows that many people chose not to answer all of the questions in the survey. This may be because the ideas presented are complex, and without sufficient information or early involvement it is challenging for people to make informed responses. HWC will continue to ensure that their voices are heard.