Healthwatch in Parliament!

Healthwatch England recently celebrated the award of £500,000 in funding to promote public and patient engagement around the NHS Long Term Plan.

Palace of Westminster lit up brightly as the sun sets, from across the Thames.

Fran McCabe, Chair and David Liley, CEO of Healthwatch Brighton and Hove, attended a Parliamentary Reception on the 21st January to launch this initiative.

The reception was sponsored by Dr Sarah Wollaston (MP), Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee. We were addressed by Caroline Dinenage, Minister of State for Care.

Meeting MP's

The reception was an opportunity to meet local MPs, though unfortunately many were attending the first big BREXIT debate in the Commons Chamber, on the same day. It was also an opportunity to meet Sir Robert Francis QC the recently appointed national Chair for Healthwatch England.

He and Imelda Redmond, Healthwatch England CEO, have been invited by Healthwatch East Sussex to lead a regional conference later this Spring – more details will be available soon.

The reception was also attended by many Healthwatch England Head Quarters’ staff including Olly Grice our South East Regional Officer. Some people may recall Olly who previously worked with Healthwatch West Sussex.

Stunning Views

The reception was held on the Terrace at the Houses of Parliament with stunning views of the Thames and famous London landmarks. Fran remarked that ‘This was a great networking opportunity. The Minister for Care asked Healthwatch to pass on to all our volunteers her personal thanks for all the time given and hard work done on behalf of patients and the public’.

Engage locally with the Long Term Plan