People living in the Black Country are being invited to give their views on health services to help shape a local NHS five-year plan.

The Black Country Integrated Care Board is writing a plan with local NHS Trusts to set out how they will work together with other partners, including Local Authorities and the community and voluntary sector, to improve health outcomes, tackle inequalities and help support local communities to develop.

The joint forward plan will describe how NHS resources will be used to deliver on NHS targets and requirements set nationally, ensuring local services are of the highest quality and that they meet local need, and importantly improve quality and outcomes for people who use NHS services.

People in the Black Country are being given the chance to share their views to help contribute to the plan, which will be published later this year.

The public conversation is now open and will close at the end of January. Local people can have their say in a number of ways, including:

Filling in a survey available online at blackcountry.nhs.uk and at some local warm hubs, by calling 0121 612 4110 to receive help filling in the survey or by speaking to their local Healthwatch.

A number of people panel meetings will also be taking place throughout January, where people can speak to staff from the Black Country ICB and get help filling out the survey. They will take place at the following locations:

• Brasshouse Lane Community Centre in Sandwell, Tuesday 17 January, 10am-1pm
• Blakenhall Village Centre in Walsall, Monday 23 January, 10am-1pm
• DY1 Community Centre in Dudley, Wednesday 25 January, 10am-1pm
• Bob Jones Community Hub in Wolverhampton, Monday 30 January, 10am-1pm
  
Mark Axcell, Chief Executive Officer for the NHS Black Country ICB, said: “The NHS is now working on a plan with local partners setting out our ambitions for health in the Black Country, and our plans to meet them, over the next  five years.

“We want to help everyone have improved health, now and in the future. However, we recognise that health is more than the healthcare system.

“It is not just about NHS hospitals, doctors or nurses, health is about people’s lives and can be determined by people’s financial and social circumstances. We want to consider all these issues as we look to the future.

“That’s why we would like to hear what is important to local people who use our services and those working in them, to show why change may be needed and what it should like. This will help us in developing our plan, which will make a real difference to your health and wellbeing, and how you receive care.

“This is a unique opportunity to shape something new so we would love to hear your views.”

For more information on the NHS joint forward plan, visit the Black Country ICB website.