The NHS is at the heart of our communities, and its future depends on the voices of people like you. The government is inviting everyone aged 16 and over, living in England, to share their experiences, views, and ideas to help shape the 10 Year Health Plan for England.

Why Your Voice Matters:
Changing the NHS will impact us all. Your feedback can help build a healthcare system that meets the needs of today and tomorrow. Whether you’ve had experiences as a patient, a caregiver, or a healthcare professional, your insights are valuable.

How to Take Part:

• Who Can Participate? Anyone aged 16 or over living in England. (Unfortunately, responses from under-16s and those outside of England cannot be considered.)
• Your Choice, Your Voice: Answer as many or as few questions as you like. Just make sure to click ‘Next’ to move through the survey and submit your answers at the end.
• Got Questions? Visit the FAQ page or email changenhs@thinksinsight.com.
• Accessibility Matters: If you need alternative formats to participate, check out the accessibility page.

To complete the survey visit - Project: Start here | Change NHS

In today’s digital world, technology plays a significant role in how we access healthcare services. From booking appointments online to ordering prescriptions and using health apps, digital tools offer convenience and efficiency. However, not everyone feels comfortable using these services, and we want to change that.

Why Understanding Digital Skills Matters

We want to ensure that every patient, regardless of their familiarity with technology, can access healthcare services with ease. By learning more about your comfort level with digital tools, we can tailor our support and resources to meet your needs. Whether you are confident with technology, need a little help, or do not use it at all, we want to hear from you!

How This Benefits You

By improving digital accessibility, we can help make healthcare services more efficient and user-friendly. Here’s how:

• Faster Appointment Booking – Skip the phone queues and book your GP appointments online with ease.

• Easy Access to Test Results – View your test results securely without waiting for a call or letter.

• More Control Over Your Health – Manage prescriptions, track symptoms, and access medical advice at your convenience.

What If You Struggle with Technology?

No worries! We’re here to support you. Understanding your digital skills allows us to provide training and resources to help you stay connected to your healthcare team. Whether it’s one-on-one guidance, workshops, or printed materials, we’re committed to ensuring that everyone can access the care they need—digitally or otherwise.

Have Your Say!

We want to hear from you. Speak to your GP practice or fill in our quick form to let us know how we can help improve your digital healthcare experience. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the future of accessible and inclusive healthcare services for all.

Digital Literacy - Mid Dorset Primary Care Network

Together, we can make healthcare more accessible, efficient, and user-friendly for everyone!

Are you at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes? The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP) is here to help you take control of your health and make positive lifestyle changes. By joining the programme, you can reduce your risk and improve your overall wellbeing.

Many people are unaware they are at risk of Type 2 diabetes. Debby, a recent participant, was shocked to learn she was prediabetic despite believing she led a healthy lifestyle. With the support and guidance of the NDPP, she gained valuable knowledge, made small but meaningful changes, and successfully transformed her health.

Debby’s results speak for themselves. She lowered her blood glucose level from 46 mmol/mol to 38 mmol/mol, reduced her cholesterol levels, and lost over a stone in weight. Beyond these physical achievements, she now feels more in control of her overall health and wellbeing.

Her words highlight the benefits of the NDPP:

“I would definitely recommend the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme as a way to reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and also improve your overall wellbeing.”

If you have been told you are at risk of Type 2 diabetes, the NDPP can support you in making healthier choices. Through expert advice, tailored guidance, and ongoing support, you can take steps to prevent diabetes and improve your long-term health.

Don’t wait—take charge of your health today. Find out more about how the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme can help you by visiting NHS England » NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP) and start your journey towards a healthier future.

The Pineapple Project is seeking the views of all young people aged 11-25 across Dorset through a short survey. This is an opportunity for young people to share their experiences and concerns, which will help inform ongoing efforts to improve safety and address harm in local communities.

The survey is part of The Pineapple Project’s work to promote safety and tackle harm impacting young people. While the project focuses on harm affecting young women, the input of all young people is crucial to developing strategies to address Extra Familial Harm and ensuring safety for everyone.

The survey takes approximately 3-4 minutes to complete and will remain open until 1st March 2025. Schools, youth groups, and community organizations are encouraged to facilitate the completion of the survey before the end of the half-term.

The survey can be accessed here: The Pineapple Project - Young Person's Safety Survey.

You can read more about The Pineapple Project here.

By contributing to this survey, young people will play a vital role in shaping a safer future for Dorset.

Did you know that all eight of our surgeries have been recognised as Carer Friendly, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to supporting unpaid carers in the Dorchester area and surrounding villages.

Each practice within the PCN has a nominated Carers Lead, providing dedicated support and guidance to unpaid carers. Additionally, the PCN has Jackie Hicken as the dedicated PCN Carers Lead, who spearheads projects and initiatives to make a tangible difference in the lives of carers.

One such initiative is the monthly drop-in sessions held at Dorchester Library on the fourth Wednesday of every month. These sessions offer a relaxed and welcoming environment for carers to connect with various support organisations and services. The aim is to ensure that carers receive helpful information and resources tailored to their unique needs, all in a comfortable and supportive space.

Mid Dorset PCN’s commitment to carers goes beyond recognition. With a dedicated Carers Lead in place for each surgery team, the network ensures consistent support and guidance for unpaid carers across the PCN. The collaboration between staff members, surgery Carers Leads, and the PCN Carers Lead helps foster a cohesive approach to meeting carers’ needs, regardless of their situation or location.

As part of the broader Carer Friendly Community, Mid Dorset PCN actively works with carers to identify opportunities for improvement and implement changes that address their concerns. By empowering its staff and maintaining a strong focus on carers’ wellbeing, the PCN strives to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all unpaid carers within its network.

"We are extremely proud to be recognised as Carer Friendly and to be part of a community that values the incredible contributions of unpaid carers. Together with our surgery teams, we remain committed to providing the highest level of support and opportunities for our carers," said Jackie Hicken, Mid Dorset PCN Carers Lead.

Mid Dorset PCN is dedicated to continuing its efforts to support unpaid carers and strengthen its role as a trusted partner in the community. Whether through innovative initiatives or collaborative efforts, the network’s goal remains the same: ensuring carers feel valued, supported, and empowered.

For more information or to register youself or someone you know as a unpaid carer visit - Unpaid Carers - Mid Dorset Primary Care Network