Dorset residents are being asked for their opinions on a new strategy that outlines plans for health and social care services across Dorset.
The draft Community Health strategy sets out the broad aims and objectives that will contribute to substantial improvements in services across the county, and is a joint strategy developed by Dorset County Council and NHS Dorset.
It builds on a number of priorities for health and social care already identified through national, regional and local consultations with carers and service users as well as voluntary organisations and community representatives.
Services will focus on providing high quality, responsive support to help people to live a longer and healthier life. Appropriate care to support this goal will be delivered where and when people need it. By strengthening community support, it is also anticipated that there will be a reduced need for long-term residential care and also a reduction in unnecessary hospital admissions.
The structure of services will move from a centralised to a locality based approach where care is delivered closer to home.
There is a strong emphasis on providing local support to help people remain independent and safe in their local communities. Other priorities include improving rehabilitation services to support vulnerable people whilst also achieving best value for money. Health promotion and preventative care forms a vital part of the strategy and there are plans to increase choice and control for people thorough personal budgets and direct payments.
Services such as re-ablement, home adaptations, telecare and better support for long term conditions are part of the new strategy and there are also plans to extend partnerships with independent and voluntary providers to complement existing services.
Andrew Cattaway, Cabinet member for adult social care at Dorset County Council, said: “We are committed to achieving a high quality of life for local residents and communities and recognise that health and well-being are fundamental elements of this aspiration.
“The Health Community strategy aims to ensure services are developed in line with future needs and we want to ensure that a wide range of individuals and organisations take part in the consultation and have their say in services they receive. This will help us identify top priorities to incorporate in the final plans.”
Director of Joint Commissioning and Partnerships for the NHS Bournemouth andPooleand NHS Dorset Cluster, John Morton, said: “Whilst we are fortunate enough to enjoy comparatively good health services across the county we want to continue to improve these and getting input from local people helps us to ensure we will meet future healthcare requirements. We want to encourage as many people as possible to take part in this consultation.”
The consultation runs until the end of March and more details on the proposals and how to get involved in the consultation can be found on the council’s website, www.dorsetforyoucom/consultations
A number of public events will also be held across the county to encourage a wide response to the consultation.
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