Healthwatch Staffordshire News Bulletin
1st July 2013
Welcome...
... to what we are hoping will be a lovely, warm July. The Healthwatch Staffordshire offices have
been very busy over the last week preparing for and running the survey at UHNS as well as pressing
on with the Health and Wellbeing Strategy. This issue includes a link to an interview with Robert
Francis (the author of the Mid Staffs report), information about the next Engaging Communities
Staffordshire Public Board meeting and a final advertisement for all those who want to get involved
with the Healthwatch Advisory Group.
UHNS Survey
The survey at University Hospital North Staffordshire, which is designed to understand why patients
use A&E will finish tomorrow (Tuesday 2nd July). We have had a great response from the patients
and there are already some emerging themes.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved with the survey.
Your support and commitment have been fantastic.
Healthwatch England Chair interviews Robert Francis QC
Healthwatch England has published a video of Anna Bradley, Chair of Healthwatch England,
interviewing Robert Francis QC, the author of the report on the failings at Stafford Hospital. They
discuss his thoughts on the importance of complaints and concerns, integration, accepting mistakes
are made and his aspirations on seeing changes filter through.
Click on this link to view the video: http://www.healthwatch.co.uk/news/anna-bradley-chairhealthwatch-england-interviews-robert-francis-qc
Conversation Staffordshire
The Health and Wellbeing consultation is running until early September. We are asking people to
give their feedback on local services to improve the commissioning and shaping of services over the
next five years.
To take part in the consultation, please click on the link below:
http://www.engagingcommunitiesstaffordshire.co.uk/conversation-staffordshire/
Engaging Communities Staffordshire Public Board Meeting – Wednesday10th July,
2013 – 6pm to 8pm
The next public board meeting, for the Engaging Communities Staffordshire (ECS) Board, will take
place on Wednesday 10th July, 2013. The meeting will be held in Tamworth at the Philip Dix Centre,
from 6pm-8pm.
This is an open board meeting for any member of the public to attend, however we would like to
clarify that this is a meeting held in public not a public meeting.
Job Opportunities
We are still advertising for members to join the Healthwatch Advisory Group. Applications close at
midnight on the Friday 5th July, 2013.
- This is a voluntary role which allows individuals to help steer the direction of Healthwatch
priorities, Enter & View activities, identify key public concerns, as well as consulting on a
variety of other issues. (Further information about the role can be found here:
http://www.healthwatchstaffordshire.co.uk/news-and-events/news/advert-forhealthwatch-advisory-group-members-(volunteer-role)/ or by contacting Sue Baknak on
01785 887990)
Healthwatch Champions
We are always on the lookout for new Healthwatch Champions who are Healthwatch Staffordshire’s
highly valued active volunteers. If you would like to take a more active role within Healthwatch
Staffordshire or get involved then please contact Jenni Day, our Communications and Engagement
Officer, to send you some more information on 01785 887992 or email jenni.day@ecstaffs.co.uk
Volunteering Opportunities
Britannia Leek & District Show: Saturday 27th July, 2013
We still have some spaces left for those who want to help out at the Leek Show on Saturday 27th July
at Birchall Playing Fields, from 8am until 6pm. This will include a ticket into the show itself which will
allow you a chance wander around the show (for more details about the show see the website
http://www.leekshow.org.uk/ ) We are particularly after individuals who can help set up in the
morning around 8am.
If you are interested in helping out at the Leek Show please contact Elizabeth Jarrett on
elizabethjjarrett@gmail.com or Jenni Day on jenni.day@ecstaffs.co.uk or ring 01785 887992.
Midsummer Mayhem, Newcastle-under-Lyme: Sunday 28th July, 2013
We have some spaces left for those who want to help out at Midsummer Mayhem. This is the day
after the Leek show and similarly you will be provided with a ticket which will give you the
opportunity to enjoy the festivities. The show runs from 11am until 4.30pm and has the theme
‘Down Under’ and can be interpreted in whatever way you like.
The Australian theme was chosen to celebrate Joseph Cook, a Borough miner who emigrated from
Silverdale in 1886 to work in the Vale of Clwydd Colliery, Lithgow, in New South Wales. He took up
politics and eventually became the sixth Prime Minister of Australia, at the time of the First World
War.
If you are interested in helping out at Midsummer Mayhem please contact Elizabeth Jarrett on
elizabethjjarrett@gmail.com or Jenni Day on jenni.day@ecstaffs.co.uk or ring 01785 887992.