WATCHDOG group Healthwatch Surrey is calling for “quality engagement” by the NHS with residents following publication of a major five-year plan to improve health and care services for Surrey Heartlands.

Surrey Heartlands covers Haslemere, currently managed by Surrey Downs, North West Surrey and Guildford and Waverley Clinical Commissioning Groups.

At the end of last year, the Government asked health and care organisations to work together across larger areas to deliver the NHS Five Year Forward View, resulting in the formation of Surrey Heartlands.

Its sustainability and transformation plans (STP), will set out its proposals for improving services for residents to offer the best care and treatments.

Healthwatch’s call was made after Surrey Heartlands opted to run small, in-depth events to get feedback on proposals, and has yet to consult with the wider public.

Healthwatch Surrey chief executive Kate Scribbins said: “We have heard about many cases nationally, where public engagement has been severely lacking, so it is important the STPs in Surrey do not make the same mistake.

“We acknowledge Surrey Heartlands has taken steps to engage with the public in an innovative way, and are calling for as much ongoing and meaningful involvement as possible as their more detailed plans are developed. The issues and challenges facing health and care are so complex and interrelated that the development of the STP involves all parts of the system working together to shape the future.

“Too often the public is only involved when plans are formed, which makes consultation feel tokenistic.

“We want to make sure residents are informed and knowledgeable, understand the issues and options and given the chance to share in the debate.”

Welcoming the initiative, Paula Head, chief executive of Royal Surrey County Hospital, said: “Our patients are at the heart of these plans, which will see healthcare services built around the needs of the local population.

“They will drive greater efficiencies and improve access to services, ensuring patients receive the care and treatment they need in the right place at the right time.”

Surrey Heartlands says there will be clear benefits for patients as a result of the plans. These include:–

• An additional £30million investment in primary care services over the next five years, giving people more access to GP appointments in the evenings and at weekends, and longer appointment times where necessary

• Investing an additional £8million in cancer services to support earlier diagnosis and increasing survival rates

• Spendng an additional £3million in mental health services, making it easier for patients to access services.

Fiona Edwards, chief executive of Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which is leading the mental health work proposals, said: “Our new way of working together through the STPs is a fantastic step forward, recognising the crucial importance for us all of putting good mental health side by side with good physical health for the well- being of our communities.”

Surrey County Council chief executive David McNulty, who chairs the Surrey Heartlands transformation board, added: “This is a genuinely exciting opportunity to bring together health and social care in our county and improve the services offered to local people.”

This week, NHS England announced Surrey Heartlands will be one of seven areas selected to take forward recommendations to improve maternity services as set out in the NHS Maternity Transformation Programme. The selected areas will test a range of new ways of working that could help to transform maternity services across their areas.

Using a share of £8million over two years, Surrey Heartlands will play a key role in delivering improvement quickly and its experiences will pave the way for the national roll-out of initiatives to deliver safer, more personalised care for all women and every baby.

The programme aims to develop a shared community midwifery service model across the area, using “community hubs” as well as a home-birthing team.

• Find out more at www. surreyheartlands.uk