Patients in Shropshire want quicker and easier access to their GP, councillors will be told this week.
Patients in Shropshire want quicker and easier access to their GP, councillors will be told this week.
They also want access to health services and treatment at times and places convenient to them, Shropshire Council’s health and wellbeing board will be told.
A report going to the committee on Thursday shows the results of a patient feedback survey carried out by Healthwatch Shropshire.
Lynn Cawley, chief officer of the group, said: “We heard the views of 641 people. Healthwatch Shropshire heard from 376 people and Healthwatch Telford & Wrekin heard from 265 people.
“People told us they want the NHS and social care to improve how the NHS works so that people can get help more easily and closer to home.
“They want access to help and treatment when and where they want it; easier and quicker access to GPs; enough staff, including specialist staff, to get a diagnosis and receive treatment more quickly.
“They want appropriate, clear and timely information and advice and to know what support is available so they understand options, including support from the community.
“The challenge for the STP and Healthwatch Shropshire and Healthwatch Telford & Wrekin was to reach a diverse population living in both urban and very rural areas.
“We wanted to gather the views from as many people as possible that recognised the wide variation in personal experiences of accessing and using health and social care services across the county so decided to use a range of engagement methods.”
She added: “They told us to make sure all staff take a person-centred approach to our care, that takes into account our individual needs and those of our family/carers, including information and support to make real choices.
“It said treat us all with compassion and see past a pre-existing conditions to make sure other health problems are not missed, e.g. when treating those of us with a mental health condition or learning disability/autism.
“They said provide us with consistency to build our trust, including consistency of staff, information and advice, e.g. known carers, use of ‘this is me’ and the butterfly symbol for people with a dementia diagnosis/confusion, across services and departments.”
The meeting will be held at Shirehall, Shrewsbury, on Thursday at 9.30am.
Ludlow MP welcomes further fall in inflation
New community initiative aims to improve ground of cemetery in Ludlow
Long term plans for flood hit Severn communities
Farm buildings built without permission will stay
College will build 60 room boarding house after plans approved
‘Improved’ plan to replace turkey sheds with houses near Leominster
“Dismay” as schools library service faces axe
Shropshire Council plan to help homeless is “huge step forward”
