Posted on Friday 16th December 2011
Staffordshire residents are being invited to find out about new proposals for a major shake up in how complaints and comments are handled by the NHS and social care sector.
The public consultation will explore new proposals on how patient feedback about hospitals, GP surgeries, dentists, social services and beyond could be handled in a different way through a new and powerful independent organisation.
If proposals are passed, Staffordshire will be the first county in the country to undertake such radical changes which would end the current system of complaints and feedback only being known about and investigated by the organisation in question. Instead the new system proposes to bring independence and transparency to the process, giving people more power to get their views heard.
Over a 1,300 people have already completed the online consultation form, but to make sure everyone has the opportunity to share their views there are also three consultation event planned in Cannock, Lichfield and Stafford.
Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Adults’ Welleing, Matthew Ellis, said that this would be a great opportunity to discuss the proposals in detail.
“There’s been a tremendous response to the public consultation so far with people across Staffordshire giving their views. Submissions to date clearly demonstrate the majority of people want to be able to have their say on the services received. However we want many more, so I would urge as many people as possible to book their place on the consultation event and have their say.
“At the moment, complaints about hospitals, health, social care services and GPs are dealt with by the service being complained about. That can’t be right and recent history also shows that complaints are being missed which is bad for public confidence and can lead to even more serious failures in service quality.
“Anyone who cares about the quality and safety of the care they or a loved one receives should take part in this consultation. It is vital that as many people as possible provide their thoughts on whether an independent and transparent people led organisation could help ensure that health and care services in Staffordshire improve and are safe.”
Details of the consultation events:
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Cannock -9th January, 6pm start, The Civic Ballroom, Beecroft Road, Cannock, ES12 9SA (estimated 8pm finish)
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Lichfield - 10th January, 2pm start (estimated 4pm finish), Kings Edward VI School, Upper St, John Street, Lichfield, WS14 9EE
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Stafford - 11th January, 6pm start (estimated 8pm finish), The David Jones, Centre, 96a Stone Road, Stafford, ST16 2RS
Please book your place to attend the event. Please telephone 01785 277502 or email healthandsocialcareconsultation@staffordshire.gov.uk| and specify any access requirements you may have.
You can also take part in the consultation by: