WAVERLEY residents are invited to have their say on the health priorities set by Surrey health chiefs.

A public consultation has been launched on joint commissioning intentions across the county for 2018/19.

The document outlines the approach being taken to develop a broad range of health and social care plans and priorities and sets out how this will be commissioned, or bought. It also summarises how the Guildford and Waverley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) with fellow Surrey CCGs will achieve NHS national priorities set out in the Five Year Forward View, including increased access to primary care services and closer integration between health and social care services.

Consultation has already taken place with GP practices, health and social care providers and other partners in order to help shape the commissioning intentions.

The Surrey Heartlands CCGs and Surrey County Council are now seeking the views of residents.

Matthew Tait, an officer for the Surrey Heartlands CCGs, said: “It’s really important we set the right plans and priorities and this year.

“For the first time, we have developed joint plans across the three CCGs and across social care, which is a real step forward. We know people and our other partners can play a crucial role in helping us make sure our plans are meeting the needs of our local population and addressing the right issues and that’s why we are asking people to get involved and have their say.”

Surrey County Council’s acting chief executive, Julie Fisher, added: “Health and social care affects all of us at one time or another so I would encourage everyone to take a few minutes to comment.

“We want to know if our plans feel right and importantly if there are any areas people feel we need to do more to address.”

The consultation finishes on Sunday, February 18, and respondants can comment on the plans at www.surrey says.co.uk/deputy-ceo/commissioning

All feedback will be analysed and used to inform the final joint commissioning intentions, set to be agreed and published in April.