The Government is asking for views from the public, health professionals and anyone else with an interest in local health issues, on two public consultations: Commissioning for Patients; and Local Democratic Legitimacy in Health.
This follows the publication on 12 July of the White Paper Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS (can be found on our LINk website).
Crucial elements of a truly personalised and local health system have been proposed, that will make it easier for everyone to shape local health services and hold them to account in the future. The Health Secretary and Communities Secretary have set out proposals on how patients, locally elected councillors, local authorities, public health experts and others will work side by side with GP consortia to make health services meet the needs of people in local areas and improve health outcomes.
This partnership, led by local authorities, will mean services become more responsive, and developed in ways that fit around the people who use them. Patients and the public will also have a stronger voice through a new patient group, local HealthWatch - a ‘citizen’s advice bureau’ for health and social care. Local people from HealthWatch would also influence local plans ensuring they fit community needs.
The consultation will run from 22 July until 11 October 2010.
People can submit their views via email: NHSWhitePaper@dh.gsi.gov.uk or by post: White Paper team, Room 601, Department of Health, 79 Whitehall, London SW1A 2NS.
For more details visit the Department of Health Website at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/MediaCentre/Pressreleases/DH_117722