The spotlight on health and care services has never been brighter, with things like the Covid-19 pandemic, hospital overcrowding, young people’s mental health, and people living longer all contributing to pressures on our health and care system.
Alongside these pressures, various studies by the Health Foundation have shown the general state of people’s health is in decline. This is further supported in a report published by Lord Darzi in September 2024 showing how health decline contributes to the NHS being over-stretched.
We want to shift the balance from waiting until people are unwell, then treating them in hospitals, to a greater focus on keeping people healthy and well in our communities.
With declining health and these extra pressures on our current health and care system, a better way of organising local health and care services is needed for people in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Healthier Together 2040 will help enable local health and care services across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire to move to a better future for people and staff over the next 15 years and beyond.
There are three linked projects as follows:
The Integrated Care System (ICS) Strategy. This was published in 2023 when the ICS was first established. It helps to identify areas of priority and focus – informing the Joint Forward Plan.
The Joint Forward Plan is updated every year as a five-year rolling plan which every Integrated Care Board in England is required to publish (on behalf of their ICS).
The NHS 10 Year Plan is a national, health-focused plan setting out how England will create a truly modern health service designed to meet the changing needs of the population.
