The Patients Association, an independent charity, warmly welcomes the government’s new initiative to involve patients, NHS staff, and the public in shaping the future of the National Health Service. This groundbreaking engagement exercise, launched today, marks a significant step towards true patient partnership and prioritizes patients in the evolution of the NHS.
According to Rachel Power, Chief Executive of the Patients Association, this national conversation is a crucial opportunity to address the longstanding issue of patients feeling that their voices are not fully heard in shaping health services. “We are excited to see patients being given a central role in developing the 10 Year Health Plan for the NHS,” she said.
With direct contact with thousands of patients living with various health conditions each year, the Patients Association has valuable insights into diverse experiences across the health and care system. This includes identifying common patient needs as well as unique challenges faced by underrepresented groups.
“We’re eager to contribute these diverse perspectives to help shape a health service that truly meets the needs of everyone it serves,” Power added.
The Patients Association recognizes the government’s focus on three major shifts in healthcare: from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention. These changes have the potential to greatly improve patient experience. However, it is crucial that these changes are implemented with patients’ diverse needs at the forefront, ensuring equal access and personalized care for all.
To ensure that patient voices are heard and meaningfully incorporated into the 10 Year Health Plan, the Patients Association will take proactive steps to engage patients in the process. “We are committed to working in partnership with patients throughout this crucial process,” Power emphasized.
The Association encourages all patients, carers, and members of the public to participate in this important initiative by sharing their experiences and ideas through the Change.NHS.uk platform.
The Patients Association looks forward to working closely with the government, NHS England, and other stakeholders to ensure that patient voices are heard, respected, and acted upon in the development of this crucial 10 Year Health Plan.
Power concluded by stating, “As an independent charity with a direct line to patients living with any health condition, we have a unique insight into patients’ experiences and a holistic view of the health and care system from their perspective. We speak to thousands of patients each year through our national freephone helpline and are therefore experts in representing patient voice exactly as we hear it.”
For further information, please contact the Patients Association.
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About the Patients Association:
The Patients Association is an independent patient charity that advocates for improvements in health and social care for patients. The organization strongly believes that patients should be actively involved in decisions made about their care and the design of the health and care system. As a charity campaigning for improvements in health and social care, the Patients Association believes that true improvements can only be achieved through a partnership between the system and patients. Through their helpline and information services, the organization provides information to thousands of people each year about the health and social care system, empowering them to advocate for themselves.
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