The Department of Health and Social Care has been running a period of engagement to inform the 10-Year Health Plan since October 2024, with support from the local NHS.
Members of the public, as well as health and care professionals, have been invited to share their experiences, views and ideas for the future of the NHS using the online platform Change.NHS.uk.
The NHS and its partners in Gloucestershire have been participating through running workshops with staff and community groups.
It is clear that the three main themes for the future align with our priorities in Gloucestershire, as set out in our Joint Forward Plan and ICS Integrated Care Strategy.
- Theme 1: moving care from hospitals to communities – where feasible and safe to do so, including care in people’s homes. For example, expanding virtual wards to allow more patients with frailty or respiratory conditions to be supported at home, early intervention in schools for children to help their emotional wellbeing
- Theme 2: making better use of technology – we will invest, within our means, in community support and technology, helping vulnerable people, including older people and those with chronic long-term conditions, to take an active role in their own health and care, remain independent and supported at home for longer, whilst reducing the need for hospital stays. We’re improving the shared care record, Joining Up Your Information, to improve the experience for patients and make things easier for staff.
- Theme 3: focusing on preventing sickness, not just treating it – we are investing in local communities, building relationships with the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. We want to support people to stop smoking, to manage their weight through healthy lifestyle initiatives and help people to be more active.
The plan will be published in spring/summer 2025.