Responding to the announcement today by Jo Churchill MP, Minister for Primary Care, on the Government’s plans around GP data, four leading patient groups – Healthwatch England, National Voices, the Patients Association and The Richmond Group of Charities – have released the following statement:
The Richmond Group is glad to have worked with National Voices. the Patients Association, Healthwatch England and our member Versus Arthritis to help NHS England shape updated guidance for hospital Trusts.
Richmond Group members Caroline Abrahams and Juliet Bouverie OBE, and our Chair Lynda Thomas write for the NHS Assembly about the key role the voluntary sector has played in supporting people living with long-term conditions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
We have responded to the consultation on proposals to put integrated care systems (ICSs) on a statutory footing in the following terms.
"The Richmond Group of Charities is pleased to have the opportunity to comment on NHS England and Improvement’s proposals for the next steps in the development of integrated care.
People living with multiple long-term conditions may be facing additional mental health difficulties during the pandemic. Calls to our member charities’ helplines strongly suggest that is the case.
