Strategic Plan and Our Vision

People in Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland feel that they have poorer health and well being than the rest of England. We know that they are admitted to hospital more often and die earlier than people elsewhere in England.

Cancer and heart disease are our main killers and many of these avoidable deaths are caused by higher than average levels of smoking, drinking and obesity. These problems are largely due to our industrial and mining heritage, declining prosperity and increasing deprivation in the last 50 years.

If local people are to be at least as healthy as the rest of the country, major changes are needed. The North East has an ambitious vision as set out in the regional strategy ‘Our vision, our future’ , for health to be amongst the best in the country, and it is this which we are working to achieve.

In keeping with this, in NHS South of Tyne and Wear, we have a vision for local people of: 

• Better health to ensure people live longer, with a better quality of life and fair access to services. 
• Excellent patient experience, ensuring safe care, effective treatment and quality services. 
• Wise use of your money with the right services at the right place, first time, reducing waste and ensuring value for money.

If we are to achieve this, we need to address our health problems and reshape services.

Strategic Plan 2010-2015 and Integrated Strategic and Operational Plans are available from the Publications section on this website.