Lib Dem Health Survey Points To New Strategy For Worcestershire

5.30.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 8th Jan 2008

Results from nearly 4000 responses to a health survey have been sent to Worcestershire's NHS Primary Care Trust as part of their consultation on a new Health Strategy for Worcestershire.

Thirty-seven thousand households in West Worcestershire received a copy of the survey from Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt before Christmas. Now the results have been sent by Mr Burt to the Trust to help health bosses draw up their new Strategy for Health for the county.

Richard Burt said: "It's so important to get future health care priorities right, and the best way to do that is to listen to local people's concerns.

"I have tried to ensure that most households in West Worcestershire constituency received a copy of my survey, and I am very please with the huge mailbag that we have received in response. It proves that health is a top priority for local residents.

"The general level of satisfaction from residents with the service they receive from the NHS locally is very high. It's good to confirm that most who use the National Health Service in Worcestershire find that it delivers the treatment they need, and that services are generally perceived to have improved in recent times.

"However, not all Government driven reforms appear to be working for Worcestershire residents. Worryingly, 40% of people rated the out of hours GP service as 'poor', and only 18% rated it as being good.

"There are clearly not enough NHS dentists available in the constituency. Hundreds of respondents reported having problems finding one locally, either for themselves or for a relative.

"I would also add the urgent need for a new strategy for mental health services, including the expansion of talking therapies as well as drugs for mental health care. Nearly all of us will know someone who has suffered from mental health problems, and yet this remains a Cinderella service in the NHS and there is a persistent stigma attached to mental illness that still needs to be overcome.

"My survey shows there is much to be proud of for all those working tirelessly within the NHS in Worcestershire today. I hope that the responses people have taken the time and trouble to provide will help shape an even better service for the future."