SIX key aims for the future of healthcare in north and west Cumbria have been drawn up - but bosses now want to know if you think they've got it right.

Earlier this year, local NHS leaders pledged to make improvements that would save 10,000 more lives over the next decade.

It followed the publication of the national NHS long term plan, which sets out a 10-year vision for the health service.

Locally, North Cumbria Health and Care System leaders have been setting out their own priorities as part of this.

They include improving the overall health of local people and preventing illness, delivering more care closer to communities, and providing safe and sustainable services. There will also be continued focus on recruiting and retaining staff, joining up health and care services and spending NHS funds wisely.

But John Howarth, deputy chief executive of the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, said that before the plan is agreed, the want feedback from the communities they serve.

"I think we've made the mistake before of not listening enough to what our communities feel is important. We've set out what we think is important, but want to hear from those communities and our staff about their priorities. We want to listen," he said.

Dr Howarth said that north Cumbria was already ahead when the national plan was published, having realised some time ago that a change was needed.

He explained: "I think what we've seen is a shift in thinking about health services. We are moving away from the traditional model of hospitals and reacting to problems, to realising that unless we do something to prevent illness and reduce obesity, we will never have enough money, staff or resources."

A key part of the plan is to focus on local care hubs called Integrated Care Communities (ICCs), which will tailor care to meet local needs. "These are the building blocks of healthcare," he said.

However Dr Howarth said they also wanted to continue to improve acute hospital services, which have seen a dramatic improvement in mortality rates in recent years, and tackle long-standing recruitment issues.

The full plan is available to view online at www.northcumbriahealthandcare.nhs.uk. To take the online survey visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/SN277TQ.