Local residents invited to have their say on community and mental health services in major review

People living in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes will get the chance to shape the future of community and mental health services in the area, as part of a major review to ensure services are fit for the future.

Running from now until 14 September, residents will be able to comment and make suggestions on how services which cost the NHS a total of around £400 million each year, could be delivered differently.  Community and mental health services are central to the health and wellbeing of local people helping people to live well in their homes, to manage long-term conditions, to recover from illness, and to access support when they need it.

With figures predicting that the population of the local area will rise by more than a quarter within the next 20 years, and with the increasing prevalence of some conditions such as autism, ADHD, diabetes, lung disease and dementia, local health leaders are keen that residents have their say about the way services are offered and delivered.

Felicity Cox, chief executive officer of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said:

“Surging demand, a fast-growing population and the Government’s new 10-Year Plan for Health mean we want to think differently about the services we provide and how we do so.

“We are committed to involving residents in the work we undertake, so that their voices are heard.  This is an ongoing process across a range of healthcare services which we commission on their behalf.

“There will be no significant change to the way residents access services as we work on the re-design of future services, and we want to hear from people who use our services often, so we can ensure that service users’ thoughts and experiences are included in the changes we expect to make in future.”

People who are interested in giving their views can take part in an online survey, or can attend one of a series of focus groups taking place across the local area in the coming weeks. More information, including the opportunity to book a place at a focus group, is available here.