Two new online surveys have opened to gather feedback from the public on the health and care services provided to people with autism and children with complex needs.
The questionnaires are part of a wide-ranging review being carried out by the Health and Care Transformation Programme, as it considers the design of future services in a number of key areas.
A new integrated approach for both services is planned, offering a holistic, person-centred approach to meeting each individual’s needs. The care model will span mental health services, education, acute care and care provided in the community, to provide a joined-up response to a family’s needs and ensure a smooth journey through the health and care system.
Minister for Health and Social Care David Ashford said:
‘We are reaching out to parents who have a child with continuing care needs, and to people with autism or who care for someone with autism. We are keen to find out if they would like to see any changes to the services and support they currently receive, or have ideas for improvements.'
He added:
‘The surveys are central to the Pathfinder stage of the Transformation Programme, designing integrated, responsive models of care which are sustainable in the long term.
'We are keen to hear honest opinions. We have, in the words of Sir Jonathan Michael in his landmark health and care review, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform our services for the better.’
The Transformation team is already working with user groups and third sector providers to gain further insight and input to the reviews, and several partners are helping to gather views from users of their services, in separate initiatives.
The questionnaires for children with complex needs and autism service users are available online and both surveys close on 26 November 2020.
There is still time for users of the Island’s cancer services to contribute to a similar survey seeking views and feedback from the public. The online questionnaire survey is live until Friday 13 November.
