An NHS Fit for the Future
Help design an NHS fit for the future of everyone who lives and works in Greater Manchester.
Keep reading to find out more or click the button below to head to the opportunities to get involved.
You can also take our survey
The background
The NHS has a rich history in Greater Manchester.
Did you know
- Trafford General Hospital was the first NHS hospital
- The first IVF baby was born in Oldham
- The first hip operation was done at Wrightington Hospital
Today, the NHS is facing many challenges.
While satisfaction of the NHS is low, more than 82 per cent of people still support the main principles behind the founding of the NHS (The King’s Fund – Public satisfaction with the NHS and social care in 2023).
84 per cent of people think that the NHS has a funding problem and 48 per cent the government should increase taxes and spend more on the NHS.
However, 75 per cent of people in Greater Manchester still think that, overall, their experience with their GP practice is “good” and 90 per cent feel that at their last appointment their needs were met (GP Patient Survey July 24).
The picture in Greater Manchester now
The population of Greater Manchester is 2.8 million. In the last 60 years, the number of people living in our eight boroughs has increased while fewer people are living in the cities Manchester and Salford.
Greater Manchester is home to a rich diversity of people and cultures.
Life expectancy in Greater Manchester has risen to 81 years for women and 77 for men. But people in some areas can expect to live 15 years less than others.
What we have been doing – our Greater Manchester Strategy
In 2023 our Big Conversation, asked people across Greater Manchester what would make the most difference to their health and wellbeing.
Everything we heard, including your ideas and worries, helped to shape our strategy.
What now
To achieve the ambitions in the strategy, we need to work together with staff, stakeholders and communities to create an NHS fit for the future of Greater Manchester.
Our focus is on
Healthy, happy lives
We need to spend more time focusing on supporting people to live happy, healthy lives by preventing illnesses where possible or identifying them early.
Great services
We need to make services high quality, easy to access with shorter waiting times and fair across Greater Manchester.
Financial balance
We need to make the most of our money to bring the local NHS finances into balance.
Get involved
There will be lots of ways to get involved over the next six months, with opportunities 
advertised below as they are available.
You will be able to help by:
- Telling us what is important to you and what you think we should prioritise
- Suggesting things that we can improve and places where we can be more efficient to save money
- Committing to actions that you can take to help the NHS
- Telling us what things you think we should consider when making decisions about services and how they can be improved
- Getting involved in current and future engagement and consultations and different services
Complete our survey
Complete our online survey and tell us your views about the NHS financial challenge.
Attend an event
- Wednesday 27 November 2024, 6pm to 7.30pm, online. This event is free but places are limited – book your place for 27 November.
- Tuesday, 19 November 2024, 1.30pm to 3.30pm, Stockport Masonic Guildhall, 169-171 Wellington Rd South, SK1 3UA. This event is free but places are limited – book your place for 19 November.
