THE latest draft of plans to reshape Devon’s health and care services in the next five years has been released.

The Wider Devon Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) sets out ambitious plans to improve health and care services for people across Devon in a way that is clinically and financially sustainable amid budgetary cuts. It updates an earlier version of the plan submitted to NHS England in June.

Health and care organisations as well as local authorities across Devon have been working together to create the five-year vision to meet the increasing health and care needs of the population — while ensuring services are sustainable and affordable.

The STP provides the framework within which detailed proposals for how services across Devon will develop between now and 2020/21.

Angela Pedder, lead chief executive for the Devon STP, said: ‘The NHS is one of this country’s proudest achievements and to secure its future, it has to respond to the challenges of rising demand.

‘It is vital that we develop a clear plan for the future and I know people realise how important this is. Every pound we spend must be spent in the best way for all, regardless of where they live in Devon, and coming together with local government across Devon is helping us to find practical ways to do this.

‘We are working with doctors, nurses and other health and care professionals who know what their communities need. Our shared aim is to ensure that all of us can continue to have excellent high quality care whenever we need it.’

During a visit to Devon last week the chief executive of the NHS in England, Simon Stevens, announced central investment to support three of Devon’s STP priorities: cancer services, primary care and mental health.

This includes new LINAC radiotherapy equipment for Devon, a new specialist secure mental health unit and premises upgrades for more than 30 GP practices in the region.

A key theme throughout the STP is an increased focus on preventing ill health and promoting peoples’ independence through the provision of more joined up services in or closer to people’s homes.

The seven areas identified as key programmes of work are: ill health prevention and early prevention, integrated care, primary care, mental health and learning disabilities, acute hospital and specialist services, increasing service productivity and children and young people.

The STP document will be presented to all partner organisation boards or equivalent bodies for consideration and endorsement over the next six to eight weeks.

Following this, the organisations involved will then undertake an engagement exercise involving citizens, patients, service users, their representatives and voluntary sector groups. Feedback will further help shape the plans.