National Reports Library

Summary of report content

Healthwatch Staffordshire collected the views of the public in relation to the Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) for Staffordshire via STP Ambassadors who attended community groups. The analysis of the qualitative data collected identified four prominent themes: Staff structure; Finances; Local Services; and Communication. 1) Staff structure The current staff structure was identified as a problem as well as the need to recruit and train more staff. Money should be invested in more clinical, front line staff, and less so in managers and agency staff. 2) Finances Respondents felt money is being misused or wasted in various ways, including on managers, contracting, and wasted resources. The potential gap between the funds needed to run the NHS effectively and safely, and the money actually available was also raised. A range of ways in which money could be saved, generated, or better spent were provided including: service users contributing to the cost of their treatment or medication, particularly users from abroad; fining anyone not attending their appointments. Generally there was a view that money needed to be spent more effectively by increasing efficiency. 3) Local Services Respondents were concerned about travelling long distances for treatments and highlighted the importance of local hospitals, community services and pharmacies. Some were prepared to travel further to specialist centres of excellence. GP services were seen to be a valuable local service, but with their own problems, namely accessibility and waiting times. There were also comments around the need for additional services, and for greater efficiency. 4) Communication Respondents reported confusion caused by poor communication between services and departments. They also reported the potential for preventing DNAs by using phone or text reminders, for better informing patients to understand and navigate the health system more appropriately, and for more education on prevention and self-care. No recommendations were made in the report.

Would you like to look at: