A Conversation with the Public: Report

This report presents the findings of Phase One of our Conversation with the Public.

Our healthcare system is at a tipping point, and there is no doubt that new thinking and ways of working are required to repair, protect and transform our services. We recognise that the public have a vital role to play in this transformation, through sharing their experiences, ideas and feelings around the changes that are needed.

In collaboration with NHS Wales Health Boards, Trusts and Llais, this piece of work engaged citizens across Wales in conversations about the future of health and social care services. Through seven ‘town hall’ events in each NHS Wales Health Board locality, a national online event and a survey, the project successfully gathered the insights and views of over two thousand members of the public.

The conversations revealed a strong desire for radical change whilst maintaining the founding principles of the NHS. Key themes that emerged from these conversations included: Prevention, Early Intervention, and Lifestyle; Empowerment and Shared Responsibility; Integrated Services and Support; Wider Determinants of Health; Communication; Demographics; and Workforce Challenges. These themes, consistent across regions despite some variations, provide a robust framework for future action and informing the crucial decisions that must be made to create a healthcare system that is fit for the future.