Dear Sir,
The County Council has just published on its Consultations webpage a call for responses to its Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
You can look at the proposed Objectives and Actions in this strategy document: http://bit.ly/OGb2pX
And you can give your opinions online at this address: http://svy.mk/MERP5b
Two issues strike me as especially important. Questions 3 and 5 ask if the strategy has missed anything. This is the kind of question where individual experience is vitally important. In your health situation, what would have made things better, and is that included in the list? To help improve the strategy, you need to write down how things could have been improved for you.
The second key matter is question 6, which asks: ‘In the future would you like to be involved in providing your views on health and wellbeing?’ and requesting an email contact address. Even if you feel you have nothing to say about the strategy in general, it is vital that you say yes to this question, so that you will be kept informed of future initiatives and developments.
Most of us are proud of our NHS; it is the organisation which literally saves the lives of those we love. Having said that, if you talk to anyone about their experience of the NHS – especially to those with chronic conditions – you will hear story after story of exasperation and complaint.
It is a wonderful opportunity that we are being asked what we feel and what we want. I urge as many Aycliffe people as possible to read the strategy document, complete the online reply, and register for future consultations. Let’s make our collective voice audible!
Please note that the last date to reply is 11 July.
John D Clare
