Healthwatch Kingston attended the Healthwatch England Leadership Conference
Nearly 90% of local Healthwatch attended the Healthwatch England Leadership Conference yesterday which was an invaluable opportunity to debate the challenges patients and care users face and the big issues we must collectively overcome.
Whether discussing dentistry, GP services or social care, access lay at the heart of the issues we and our panel members discussed.
The conference was a reminder of how far we have come and the amazing difference our movement makes to the communities we serve.
The following presentations took place at the conference:
Chief Executive of Healthwatch England, Louise Ansari, opens the conference giving an overview of the next steps, priority areas and more. This session includes time for a Q&A with the audience.
The panel discuss the national changes, and challenges ahead, for primary care. We’ll explore the implications on local systems and include an audience Q&A.
Panellists:
- Professor Ash Soni OBE, President of National Association of Primary Care (NAPC).
- Professor Kamila Hawthorne MBE, Chair of RCGP Council.
- Sara Hurley, previously Chief Dental Officer for England.
- Rachel Power, Chief Executive of the Patients Association.
GPs, Pharmacy and Healthwatch: the next steps
Taking forward the national conversation, in this session we heard from panellists on ways for Healthwatch to increase influence with local service partners. This session explored the Primary Care Recovery Plan and the role of Healthwatch, along with table activities for attendees to share learning to benefit respective Healthwatch.
Chair of session: Chris McCann, Director of Communications, Campaigns, and Insight, Healthwatch England.
Panellists:
- Dr Claire Fuller, National Medical Director for Primary Care, NHS England, and author of ‘Next steps for integrating primary care: Fuller stocktake report’.
- Louise Ansari, Chief Executive of Healthwatch England.
- Dr Veronica Barry, Executive Director, Healthwatch Oxfordshire.
- Pat Harris, Chief Executive Officer, Healthwatch Torbay.
- Laura Willey, Deputy Superintendent Pharmacist, Wicker Pharmacy, Sheffield.
