Regional and local media were also kept informed, and around 80 people who had registered an interest in STP updates were sent the stroke engagement survey link to complete. We received 940 completed surveys either via face to face engagement activities (830, 88%) or social media advertising (110, 12%). Of these, 49.2% had previously had a stroke. In addition to the survey we also received feedback via: 54 outreach sessions meeting with voluntary and community groups, attending GP practices, rehab units, stroke wards, and libraries talking to approximately 1,544 people 5 voluntary and community sector clinician led events attended by 78 people 15 semi-structured interviews with people who had experience of stroke services in Bradford. It should be noted that as engagement had already taken place in Airedale, Wharfedale, Craven and Bradford in 2015, Healthwatch Bradford and District adopted a different approach The key themes from the existing data and the engagement were as follows: Changes to stroke services There was some concern that a decision had already been made to reduce the number of hyper acute stroke units (HASUs), with some questioning the value of the engagement. People were concerned that if the number of units were reduced this could lead to the remaining units being unable to cope with demand and impact negatively on health outcomes. It was suggested by many that funding should be increased to ensure all patients are able to access the best treatment immediately. There was a range of opinions as to whether this should be available in all local hospitals or whether it should be based in a few specialist centres. Many people said that they would travel further if it meant they were able to access the best treatment and to be treated by specialists; however, they wanted their rehabilitation to be available closer to home. The main reasons for people wanting the services to be available in all hospitals were the distance, time and cost to travel, along with the challenges of parking. People were worried not only about how the extra journey time could affect the treatment and outcome for stroke patients but also how this would impact on the ability of carers and families to visit their loved one at this critical time, particularly those reliant on public transport. Of those people that had experienced the newly reconfigured service in Airedale, Wharfedale, Craven and Bradford and had travelled further to access a HASU, and were
matter where people live they have access to specialist, high quality care - twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. The NHS is developing proposals to make sure everyone in our region gets this specialist care they need in the first few hours after a stroke and that stroke care and support is sustainable and fit for the future. We also know that preventing stroke taking place in the first place, and ongoing care, such as physiotherapy, speech therapy or emotional support is really important. The NHS thinks that by coordinating services better, more people could receive the care they need in a community setting, closer to home. And by improving people’s health and supporting people to stay well, health services could prevent people from having strokes and going to hospital in the first place. Before decisions are made on the future of stroke services in West Yorkshire and Harrogate, we wanted to find out what people think about the services that are currently provided and what would be important to them should they have a stroke, or care for someone who has now or in the future. Our responsibilities, including legal requirements 3.1 Our responsibilities Engaging people is not just about fulfilling a statutory duty or ticking boxes, it is about understanding and valuing the benefits of listening to patients and the public in the commissioning process. By involving local people we want to give them a say in how services are planned, commissioned, delivered and reviewed. We recognise it is important who we involve through engagement activity. Individuals and groups play different roles and there needs to be engagement opportunities for both. Engaging people who use health and social care services, and other stakeholders in planning services is vital to ensure services meet the needs of local communities. It is also a legal requirement that patients and the public are not only consulted about any proposed changes to services, but have been actively involved in developing the proposals. 3.2 Legal requirements There are a number of requirements that must be met when discussions are being made about the development of services, particularly if any of these will impact on the way these services can be accessed by patients. Such requirements include the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and the NHS Constitution.