Over 8,000 Londoners have had their say on improving stroke and major trauma services in the capital

From 30 January to 8 May 2009, over 8,000 Londoners took part in a major consultation on proposals to improve stroke and major trauma care in the capital.

The London-wide public consultation, The shape of things to come, was run by Healthcare for London on behalf of London’s 31 primary care trusts (PCT) and South West Essex PCT.  Itproposed an extra £23m a year to be invested in delivering improved stroke care and up to £12m would be invested in the major trauma centres, along with improvements to all A&Es in London.  Improving London’s stroke and major trauma services was part of Lord Darzi’s ten-year vision for the capital in A Framework for Action.

The consultation was aimed at staff, patients, residents, commuters, representative groups, unions, elected representatives and anyone with an interest in, or might use, London health services.

The consultation activity included:

46 health fairs which took place in hospitals, shopping centres, town halls and leisure centres and attracted over 13,000 visitors;

more than 125,000 consultation documents distributed across London;

engagement with 29 ‘traditionally under-represented’ groups;

consultation documents translated into 15 languages, Braille, large print; Audio and MP3 (for the internet), easy-read (for learning disability groups) and easy-access (for people with aphasia)

NHS Brent hosted a number of health fairs to raise awareness for the consultation, and other local health services.  These were held on 24 March and 23 April 2009 and included information displays, a chance to discuss proposals and a demonstration on supporting injured patients by the London Ambulance Service.  More than 200 people attended these events. NHS Brent also undertook over 30 different engagement activities and presentations, including work with hard to reach groups, and disseminated information to over 800 organisations.

Ipsos Mori, the independent analysts, are currently processing the responses to the consultation and will present the findings in July 2009.

The Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts (JCPCT) will then consider the responses and announce their decisions in July 2009.  As part of its decision-making, the committee will consider various reports including:

Ipsos Mori’s independent analysis of the consultation and the responses and comments we receive.

A Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee report using evidence heard by the committee from a range of stakeholders.

An equalities impact assessment and health inequalities report.

David Sissling, Programme Director for Healthcare for London, said: "We are delighted with the number of people who have taken an interest in our proposals and who have taken the time to respond to the consultation. We have been struck by the quality of contributions we have received. We have argued that doing nothing is not an option, and Londoners have recognised this."

To keep up to date on the progress of the consultation, and other Healthcare for London activities, visit http://www.healthcareforlondon.nhs.uk/.