The past, present and future of the NHS

Q“Some NHS consultants don’t have compassion. Robots are more trustworthy and make fewer mistakes.”

This is one of the many comments made at Healthwatch Sefton’s recent event to mark the 70th anniversary of the NHS.

Around 40 local people attended NHS 70: Past, Present and Future event where they took part in Healthwatch England’s national conversation to find out what people want and expect from hospitals, GPs and care services in the next 30 years.

As part of this, people were asked to comment on how important they thought technology would become, including the use of robots in surgery. The views and comments were fed back to Healthwatch England with a report to be produced early next year.

The event also saw the official launch of Healthwatch Sefton’s Independent Complaints Advocacy service. David Evans, independent complaints advocate, and Dawn Thomas, Tier 1 advocate, explained that they can help when anyone wants to make a complaint about the service they have received from the NHS. The level of support can be anywhere from having a self-help pack being sent out to guiding you through the NHS complaints process.

To kick the event off, people watched a video showcasing the different platforms that have run alongside the NHS which have given the public and patients a voice on the NHS and care services they use.

Maureen Kelly, Chair of Healthwatch Sefton, commented: “From the establishment of community health councils to our current Healthwatch, it has been an impressive journey and demonstrates how the public voice can and does make a difference.”

Got an NHS experience to share, then use the Feedback Centre on www.healthwatchsefton.co.uk