Board members fly the flag for South Tyneside at national conference

Chair John Lowther and Board Member Nafizah Ahmed were among dozens of delegates from across the country who attended the Healthwatch National Conference in London.

Overlooked by Big Ben in the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, the event included keynote speaker Baroness Gillian Merron, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care and Healthwatch sponsor.

Baroness Merron told those in attendance: “Thank you for all you do to seek out, amplify and champion the experiences of those who use our health and care services.”

Healthwatch England Chief Executive Louise Ansari said Healthwatch colleagues’ efforts to reduce health inequalities ‘day in, day out’ fills her with enormous pride, while Chair Professor David Croisdale-Appleby said he had been ‘stunned’ by the network’s achievements.

John added: “There was a great turnout from across the country and it was really interesting to chat to other delegates about the different ways that other Healthwatches are run. We also found the sessions which discussed the challenges and future of adult social care very useful.”