Healthwatch welcomes special guest to its recent event at the Boathouse Business Centre in Wisbech

Fenland and East Cambridgeshire’s Health and Care Forum received a visit from a special guest last week.

On Thursday the Chair of Healthwatch England, Professor David Croisdale-Appleby, attended the event at the Boathouse Business Centre in Wisbech.

The Forum, which is held six times a year and organised by Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, provides an opportunity for members of the public to meet, along with health and social care professionals, and share their experiences and views about the services they use.

During the Forum, Professor Croisdale-Appleby gave an overview of the key issues facing the health and social care sector at a national level and heard about the concerns people have about local health services.

The event kicked off a two-day schedule for Professor Croisdale-Appleby which included opportunities to meet with Healthwatch staff and volunteers, as well as local health leaders.

Professor Croisdale-Appleby said: “It’s been a privilege to have had the opportunity to engage with a wide range of people during my visit and listen to their views and ideas.

“I have learned a great deal about the impactful work Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough does to support local people and help make their views heard by decision-makers.”

Healthwatch chair Stewart Francis said it had been great to welcome David.

“The core role of Healthwatch is to listen to people who use health and care services and share their feedback with service providers to make things better.

“For the chair of Healthwatch England to see that process in action and hear about the projects we are undertaking has been hugely beneficial for us all. We are part of an important network that will continue to champion local people”, Francis said.