THE leader of a group of organisations in the Colchester and Tendring area whose aim is to improve people’s health and wellbeing has welcomed the launch of the NHS’s Long-Term Plan.

Mark Jarman-Howe, acting lead for the North East Essex Health and Wellbeing Alliance (NEE H&WA), backed the ambitious plan and Government’s commitment to provide the NHS with an extra £20.5 billion a year in England by 2023/2024.

The plan, created by frontline health and care staff, patients as well as their families, should provide the NHS with the means to continue providing high-quality health services.

It includes measures to improve out of hospital care and support primary medical and community health services, continue to improve maternity safety, support older people through more personalised care and stronger community and primary care services.

Making digital health services a mainstream part of the NHS is also part of the plan.

In five years, patients in England will be able to access a digital GP offer.

Mr Jarman-Howe, who is also chief executive of St Helena Hospice, said: “As an Alliance we’ll continue to determine what the NHS Long-Term Plan will mean for people in north east Essex, building on progress we have already made together and in partnership with those who know the NHS best - patients, staff and the public.

"We particularly welcome the emphasis in the plan on integrated care as in north east Essex we’re convinced the NHS can only continue to thrive within a wider partnership of health, social care, local authorities and the voluntary sector working with and for local people.

“Now the national plan has been published, we need to decide how best to take the ambitions it contains and turn them into real improvements in services over the next few years, building on the progress we have already made by working more closely together.

"And just as the national plan was developed in partnership with patients, staff, local councils and others, so will be our own local plans.”

Dr Ed Garratt, interim accountable officer at North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We look forward to working with our partners across the Health and Wellbeing Alliance, as well as patients and staff, over the coming months to turn the ambitions contained in the plan into real improvements in services for people in north east Essex.”

The North East Essex Health and Wellbeing Alliance is a group of organisations in the Colchester and Tendring which includes NHS, councils, voluntary and community organisations, including St Helena Hospice.

It covers a population of almost 330,000 people.