New guide to local NHS changes and their impact on East Lancashire

The Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria programme has published a guide to explain how new system brings organisations together to improve outcomes and care for local people, reduce pressures on services and make best use of financial resources.

It follows yesterday’s update by Simon Stevens, the chief executive of the NHS in England, on the progress of its Five Year Forward View, including longer waits for operations such as knee and hip replacements in a 'trade-off' for improved care in other areas.

For people in Lancashire and South Cumbria the plan means greater partnership working between NHS, local government, patient groups and community, voluntary and faith organisations to help people stay healthier.

This covers the Fylde coast, Pennine Lancashire, Central Lancashire, West Lancashire and Morecambe Bay.

The guide has been made available at www.healthierlsc.co.uk

Dr Amanda Doyle, a Blackpool GP and chief officer for Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria, said: “The document which we have published aims to help local people and health and care staff to understand the shared challenges we face in our area, how we need to work together to tackle these and how local people need to be involved.”