Results of Question 13

Question 13

Given the major discussions that were already under way last Summer about the future configuration of local health services, this question asked local people how far they felt that their concerns were being taken into account.

Q13. Do you believe that the views of people in South Gloucestershire are being properly taken account of by the people drawing up plans for our local health services?

8%: Yes
81%: No
11%: Don’t know / no reply

It is very striking that around four in five local people do not feel that the views of South Gloucestershire residents are being properly taken account of. In defence of the local Trusts, it should be pointed out that a programme of “engagement” with the public and of consultation is currently under way. However, this programme will need to reach a very large number of people to make any serious dent in the general perception that local people are not being listened to.

There is a particular dimension of Q13 and the reply to it that is worthy of note. The question specifically asks about South Gloucestershire residents. There is a widespread perception that the discussion about hospital options is Bristol-dominated, and a fear that if fewer sites are the outcome, it will be Frenchay Hospital – in South Gloucestershire – which is the loser. This perception was not helped by the decision to name the review process the “Bristol” (sic) Health Services Plan.