Rutland Healthwatch has launched a consultation throughout April and May to shape health and care services in Rutland.

During both months the group will be approaching voluntary and community groups, clubs, support and patient groups, and parish councils, to run chat group sessions and meetings to discuss your ideas of what you want from local health and care services for Rutland.

The way health and social care services are organised is changing. The NHS Long-term Plan presents a strategy for integrated health and care in which decisions are made, and services are delivered, at three levels: System, Place and Neighbourhood.

At Place, the Rutland County Council, Public Health, voluntary sector and the Primary Care Network work in partnership with NHS providers to deliver health and care services in Rutland.

This collaboration is overseen by the Rutland Health and Wellbeing Board, as the body responsible for local service design and integration, and will be influenced by the needs of the local community. So, public ideas are vital in helping to determine the design and delivery of services.

Rutland Healthwatch says it knows that accessing distant services out-of-county is a big issue and that people want excellent 'care closer to home'. The What matters to you? engagement will be asking;

• What health and care support should be available locally in the future that is not

available now?

• What would make local health and care services better?
• What would make it easier for you to take control of your own health and

wellbeing and help you to live a healthier life?

• Do you have a story to tell us about how health and care services have worked

together, well or badly, in providing care to you and your family?

The chat group sessions and meetings will give communities and groups the opportunity to discuss ideas of what people want from local health and care services.

Rutland Healthwatch will also be conducting confidential interviews by phone, Zoom (and face-to-face if Covid-19 restrictions allow) and asking people to share their stories about their experiences.

The information gathered will be shared with partners on the Health and Wellbeing Board to inform the design of Rutland place-based health and care arrangements.

All feedback from interviews, stories and focus groups will be anonymous.

Chair of Healthwatch Rutland, Dr Janet Underwood said; "I encourage people to tell us their thoughts, needs and experiences of health and care services. We will then pass this information on to commissioners and providers of health and care services.

"So, what people tell us will be central to the building of effective Place-based health and care arrangements that meet people's needs, bring services closer to home and help them to live healthier lives".

Cllr Alan Walters, Rutland County Council Portfolio Holder for Health Commissioning, said: "Health and social care needs are evolving, and it is important that the county's health provision reflects this. So, I would urge residents to get involved and share their ideas and experiences.

"I know from my conversations with residents that there is an increasing expectation that health and social care is more integrated. We have worked hard over the years to be more collaborative, now is the chance to ensure future services are based on what the county needs and expects."

Anyone living or working in Rutland can share their ideas and experiences to help our study by supplying contact details using a simple form on the healthwatch website or:

• telephone 01572 720381 and leave a message
• email [email protected], to book an interview or to send in a personal story of health and care experiences

Further details will be published on the website www.healthwatchrutland.co.uk.