People in Plymouth are being encouraged to share their views on plans for Health and Wellbeing Centre in Plymouth’s West End.
Plymouth City Council and NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are working on plans for a new, purpose-built health, care and wellbeing centre in the West End, in the vicinity of Colin Campbell Court.
The centre would include a range of services all under one roof in a convenient location. The new building would not only provide a much-needed modern health and wellbeing facility, it would also help kick-start the regeneration of the area.
A local engagement programme began at the end of May and continues to 4 July, with project partners keen to hear from local people about the services and facilities they think could go in the building.
Local people can have their say in a number of ways:
• Fill in the 8-minute feedback survey here
• Attend one of the pop-up engagement events being held by local partners Nudge
to ask people their views (see below)
• Write to us at West End Health and Wellbeing Centre feedback, NHS Devon
Clinical Commissioning Group, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2
4QD
• Email d-ccg.engagementteam@nhs.net
In October 2020, Plymouth City Council authorised £1.5million to develop the project further.
Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Deputy Leader, who is also responsible for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “Don’t miss this opportunity to share your views about the types of services that could be included in the building. The survey also covers important themes like overcoming barriers to accessing care and travel and transport.
“The centre could make a real difference to people in Plymouth so it’s important we hear the views of people across the city.”
To develop ideas about the services that could go in the centre, the project team has considered the outcomes of recent engagement and consultation work in Plymouth, reviewed local data on service use and demographics, and run workshops with local partners.
Current thinking on potential services includes:
• General practice (GP) services
• Weight management and smoking cessation
• District and practice nursing
• Physiotherapy and occupational therapy
• Mental health services
• Drug and alcohol treatment
• Advice and information services
• Debt assistance and housing support
• Access to training and employment
• Volunteer support
• Outpatient appointments
It’s not just social care and health needs being considered. A digital inclusion hub – a place for those who do not have access to their own computer or need a hand or training to access online services – is also being considered.
To help get the views of local people, the council and the NHS are partnering with Nudge Community Builders to talk to people in and around Stonehouse as well as the many community organisations based there.
Forthcoming pop-up engagement events include:
• 23 June – Frankfurt Gate, 3-5pm
• 24 June – area near Millbay Academy, 3-4pm
• 26 June – Manor St Market, 10 – 2pm
• 26 June – Victoria Park, 1-3pm
• 29 June – Patna Park, 3-4.30pm
Wendy Hart, of Nudge, said: “We are
working with local groups to get as many views heard, so pop along and have a chat, or answer the online survey so your ideas can be fed into the design team for a centre we will all enjoy using and be proud of.”
Feedback from local businesses will also be key as it is hoped the additional footfall from staff, patients and service users would bring a welcome boost to the local economy. Plymouth City Centre Company is also canvassing feedback from local businesses.
By working with local people, the project team hope to encourage people to feel involved, to strengthen the local community as well as address health inequalities.
Closer working by different organisations should make it easier for patients to ‘tell their story once’ to the NHS with fewer people falling between the gaps in service.
Wider benefits of this new centre could be a reduction in unplanned and emergency services as well as a boost to out-of-hospital care and are more joined-up approach to services.
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