Bracknell

The health and wellbeing of all Bracknell Forest residents will be top of the agenda when a borough-wide health strategy is launched.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council will be taking a closer look at the wellbeing and care needs of the borough in the next few months to produce a health strategy which will help the Council, Berkshire East Primary Care Trust and other health partners make sure funding is allocated and the right plans are drawn up to match the community's needs.

It will look at the health and care needs of the community for the next decade and will look into where possible healthcare facilities could be built in the borough.

It will also aim to cut duplication between health partners and the Council so that more time can be spent on creating a better service for everyone.

Work on the draft strategy is due to be finished later this year so everyone providing health and health-related care to Bracknell Forest residents will be able to work together to ensure the right facilities, support and care is available in the right place at the right time.

The PCT is leading a formal public consultation called Right Care, Right Place – your say throughout East Berkshire from now until Tuesday, April 3, and will be collecting ideas and suggestions about healthcare in the local area during roadshows. These ideas and comments will be used to shape the strategy.

Lise Llewellyn, Chief Executive Officer of Berkshire East Primary Care Trust, said “In the modern health and care environment NHS and Council services are becoming much more integrated. We are already liaising with the Council on our Right Care Right Place – your say public consultation. We welcome the chance of continuing to work with the Council to identify and map future health and care needs and defining a clear strategy for delivering the best possible health and social care services for the borough.”

Comments, suggestions and ideas will be welcomed from residents, health practitioners, health and care partners when the draft strategy goes out to consultation.

Cllr Dale Birch, Executive Member for Bracknell Adult Services, Health Commissioning and Housing, said: "It is extremely important all of our residents get the best possible healthcare and social care support we can provide. To make sure first-class healthcare and support is available it is vital we understand what the community needs are and to be able to articulate them clearly in a way that all those involved in service delivery can understand, plan for, and afford - which is why we are creating this strategy.

"The Council, the PCT and other partners are working together to secure a better and healthier future for the residents of Bracknell Forest.

"There was a lot of change in 2006 in healthcare nationally and locally which made it very clear to me that we needed to understand the health and fitness demands of the community to make these changes work for Bracknell Forest.

"With all these changes it is necessary to identify when and where they will impact most in our community so we are better able to cope with change. Likewise when the Council is planning its long term strategies in other areas it can be mindful always of our strategic health and care needs.

"This strategy is essential so we can fund, plan and allocate resources for the healthcare facilities the people of Bracknell Forest want, need and deserve. When complete it will be a living blueprint of our health and care needs and aspirations focusing always on what matters locally first."

Bracknell Council already works with the PCT in a number of areas including adult care, children's services, supporting people with learning disabilities, the Drug and Alcohol Action Team, and on health and fitness campaigns like the 'No Smoking' initiative.

The Council also invests in various health and fitness initiatives including the Bracknell Half Marathon, Kwik Kricket and cross country tournaments for children, while also providing various leisure facilities including sports centres, sports pitches, and open spaces.

The PCT Right Care, Right Place - your say roadshows will run on:

January 22 from 2pm to 6pm at Bracknell Leisure Centre, January 23 from 2.00pm to 6pm at WAMDSAD in Maidenhead and January 25 from 2pm to 6pm at The Centre in Slough.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council