Consultation and Engagement
This section is used to summarise the views of the public, dedicated groups and service users. It can make use of formal assessment of views, such as obtained from surveys, feedback meetings and focus groups.
Following the Big Conversation, comments from respondents have been collated some of which are relevant to the topic of Emergency Hospital Admissions.
The consultation from the Big Conversation is relevant to all strategic issues, where residents have highlighted the need for improved access to health services.
- When asked ‘What would make Hartlepool a better place to live?’ 44 respondents said ‘Bring back hospital services’, 23 respondents said ‘Better / easier access to health services’.
- When asked ‘Thinking about making Hartlepool a better place to live, what actions do you think that residents, the Council and other organisations could take together to make a difference?’ 32 respondents said ‘Better / easier access to health services’.
- When survey respondents were asked “..what would help to improve your personal health and wellbeing” 123 respondents said ‘Better / easier access to health services’.
- When asked for “..one thing that you think would make Hartlepool a better place to live in 5 years time…” 35 respondents said ‘Better / easier access to health services’.
Respondents also strongly felt the loss of A&E services at the hospital with many considering the local hospital to be closed.
“A hospital in hartlepool North tees is not fit for purpose and costly to travel for residents.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“An A & E so I don't have to worry about an ambulance not making it to my elderly parents in time one day.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“Bring back our hospital. I have received treatment as far afield as Northallerton in recent years, it is not acceptable.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“Open the hospital, you closed it.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“Open the hospital back up, instead of wasting money opening stupid one life centres, we have a big beautiful hospital just standing there, use that money to fix it up, staff it and get it back open” Survey respondent (how can we work together to make a difference).
Residents responding to the Big Conversation have said that access to mental health services needed to be improved.
“Better mental health services. A multi-agency one-stop-shop to deal with people with complex needs. Secondary mental health services need to improve.” Face to face group response (what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)