A long-term plan for the health of Milton Keynes
The Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (ICB) have recently launched their 'long-term plan' which sets out how they intend to run our local health and care system over the next five years.
They have an ambitious aim to 'increase the years of healthy life that every one of our residents have – adding life to years, not just years to life.'
'Our commitment is to work as close to residents as possible.'
To achieve this, they acknowledge the need to change how they work, by collaborating and co-ordinating with all partners, starting with local residents.
The ICB have identified these key challenges for our local area:
- Rapid population growth and demographic shifts, specific to Luton, Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes.
- Challenges accessing core primary care, including GP and dental services
- Life challenges experienced by residents, including poverty and poor education.
- Ongoing impact of COVID on residents.
- Mental health issues for children and young people, and more safeguarding issues.
- Hospital delays for surgery.
- Cost of living crisis affecting families; and
- Poor health of the population including obesity and long-term conditions (eg diabetes, asthma, heart disease).
