Local Health Champion Urges Devon Residents to Engage with NHS in Devon
A local community champion is supporting the NHS in Devon to transform health and social care by independently chairing a series of special public events.
Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay is the local independent champion for people using health and social care services.
They listen to people’s views and experiences of local services like GPs, Hospitals, Dentists and Care Homes. They then encourage those in charge to use what they have heard in decisions that affect local people.
In November last year the NHS in Devon launched local engagement around the 10 Year Health Plan, which runs in parallel with the national Change NHS campaign.
All Devon residents are being invited to share their experiences, views and ideas for improving the NHS. People are being encouraged to fill in the local survey even if they have already completed the national one, to ensure that local insights are used to improve local services.
There is a dedicated webpage available via www.onedevon.org.uk/10-year-plan with a link to the local survey and further information, including details about a series of engagement events happening across the county and online this month.
They offer an opportunity to speak with NHS Staff about the 10 Year Health Plan to get your voice heard as part of the 10-year plan development process, with the national Plan due to launch in spring 2025.
Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay will be independently chairing these engagement days across Devon on the following dates:
- Paignton Library – 17 January 2025
- Ivybridge Library – 24 January 2025
- Exeter Library – 28 January 2025
- Barnstaple Library – 30 January 2025
- Plymouth Methodist Church – 31 January 2025
On these days there will also be workshops to understand people’s experiences of NHS services, what is working well, where there are challenges and what the NHS should prioritise.
These workshops will take place either face to face at the above locations or online. To book your place and check availability, please visit www.onedevon.org.uk/10-year-plan.
Dr Kevin Dixon, Chair of Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, said: “Healthwatch are really pleased to have supported the development of this engagement programme for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay and we are excited to be collaborating with NHS Devon on such an important conversation.
I urge the Devon population to get involved in this engagement and have their voice heard as part of the national 10-year health plan development.
Please fill out a local survey online or over the phone with us and we look forward to seeing some of you at the engagement days we are chairing with NHS Devon. It really could make a huge difference to the way your future healthcare is delivered.”
Healthwatch are also supporting this engagement by offering people who are unable to submit their feedback online the chance to do it over the phone for free. People can access this support by calling Healthwatch on Freephone 0800 520 0640.
