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The NHS in Worcestershire is embarking on a review of health
services to secure the best possible healthcare for county
residents that is sustainable for the future.
The main focus of the review will be on acute hospital services,
but it will also look at the wider health and care system,
particularly in relation to specific pathways of care between the
acute hospitals and community and primary care.
Worcestershire health services are facing the same challenges as
the wider NHS, with services needing to change as society changes
and public resources come under pressure.
The county's NHS organisations - NHS Worcestershire,
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and Worcestershire Health
and Care NHS Trust - are at the very start of the process and there
are no predetermined answers. However, there is agreement that 'no
change' is not an option. The approach will be to look for
improvement and ensure sustainability, and the commitment is that
the process will be carried out with integrity - open, honest,
inclusive and timely.
Local clinicians will lead the 'Joint Services Review' (JSR) and
propose options for service configuration, and the review process
will involve patients, professionals, public and partners
throughout. The JSR aims to identify, assess and then consult
on options for improvement over the next 11 months.
The Joint Service Review will commence on January 27, 2012 and
aims to be completed by November 2012. During this period we will
undertake an extensive programme of public and stakeholder
consultation and we want to encourage as many people as possible to
get involved. We know that the more we listen to patients, the
public, professionals and our wider partners, the more sustainable
options and future plans will be.
This website will be updated regularly with further information,
including details of how you can get involved.
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