“Missing a key opportunity” – Mayor Claire responds to the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan

This week, the Prime Minister launched the 10 Year Health Plan as part of the Government’s Plan for Change. The plan aims to cut waiting lists and fix the foundations of the NHS by:

• Moving care from hospitals into the community
• Promoting the use of the NHS app to support patients to find relevant services, information, and advice
• Using artificial intelligence as an early warning system
• Tackling health inequalities in communities that are most in need

Responding to the plan, Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “I welcome the 10-year NHS plan, which contains ambitions that are dear to my heart. The focus on preventing ill health and treating patients closer to home, out of hospital wherever possible. Good health is built at home, in people’s communities.

“The desire to use technology to deliver better outcomes – a real strength in the East Midlands, and something I know we can contribute to. And finally, putting patients at the heart of everything we do.

“I have led a hospital trust, and I know how much the country needs this plan to be delivered. Mayors like me can and should be part of that delivery. Health is built by good work, high quality homes, meaningful connections to other people, and a nurturing natural environment. The partnership that I lead through the East Midlands Combined County Authority has significant influence on these things.

“On this, Government needs to do more – because right now, we are being overlooked. In its latest restructure of the NHS Integrated Care Boards, it has lumped in Lincolnshire with Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, missing a key opportunity to be people-centred by aligning health services to local services.

“All parts of this new ‘cluster’ deserve better. I have seen nothing to reassure me that this change will not worsen health services and outcomes for the people of my region. For several months now, I have been asking to be part of this decision-making, asking to see their working: silence. This cannot be how it works. The role of Mayor is important because it contains the power of 2.3 million people in the East Midlands, and those people should be respected.

“I will work in whatever partnership emerges from this work: but I expect Government to listen to us and fund the structures to deliver this plan.”