Description (short summary):  
The Rural Health Plan - Improving Integrated Service Delivery Across Wales has been developed by the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure that the future health needs of rural communities are met in ways which reflect the particular conditions and characteristics of rural Wales.

Three key themes have emerged which are also common to other strategic developments in rural areas:

• Access to services - Improving access to services across the spectrum from emergency to routine services. More creative and flexible solutions will be necessary to ensure that the needs of those people living in rural areas are met in the most appropriate way, as well as strengthening existing developments such as telehealth and telecare.
• The need and opportunities for closer service integration - Integrated service models, workforce planning and systems are necessary to improve service provision and ensure effective use of resources and skills within communities.
• Community cohesion and engagement - This is an important resource and is of immense potential to rural and urban settings. Community cohesion, engagement and ownership needs to be a key element of service planning.

Number of pages: 58

Description of license: © Crown Copyright 2009

Nature of documentation: Policy/Strategy papers