Going Digital – The Future of Health and Care Services?

Residents in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes are being urged to give their thoughts and opinions on the future of digital health and care services.

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership is developing a Digital Strategy for health and care services in the future.

The COVID-19 pandemic saw a dramatic increase in the use of digital technology to support the provision of services across the NHS. This included services like consultations by video, online chat services, the Covid-19 app and remote monitoring of patient health and wellbeing outside hospital. This has led to discussions about expanding technological and digital health services in the future.

Mark Thomas, Chief Digital and Information Officer, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System said: “The BLMK system is, at its heart, all about delivering services to enable everyone in our towns, villages and communities to live longer, healthier lives. We are excited about the potential for our data and digital offering to drive improved services and better experiences for residents and our teams. We look forward to working with system partners to make this strategy a reality.”

As part of the development of the strategy, residents across Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes are invited to share their thoughts on the future plans for digital services. We want to hear what works well for local people, and what doesn’t work so well.

Residents can complete an online survey or attend focus groups and all views given will be recorded and used to shape how digital services are implemented in the future.

The focus groups will take place on:

• Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 November at The Hat Factory, Luton
• Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 December at the Cornerstone Conference Centre in Milton Keynes.

If you would like to participate in the focus groups, please call 01525 624261 or email blmkicb.communications@nhs.net for more details.

If you prefer to complete the online survey, please go to:  https://eu.surveymonkey.com/r/BLMKDigital.

The survey is open until Thursday 12 January 2023.

All focus group participants will be reimbursed, at a fixed rate, for their time and expenses.