Healthwatch Shropshire, the county’s independent public feedback service for health and social care, has launched a new campaign to understand more about people’s experiences of spinal injury services across the county.
Healthwatch Shropshire logo
The initiative follows a recent visit by Healthwatch Shropshire volunteers to The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital’s Spinal Injuries Inpatient Ward in Oswestry, where staff and patients shared valuable insights into local health and social care services.
The campaign aims not only to gather feedback from people who have experienced spinal injury services – whether directly or as family members or carers – but also to raise awareness of the Spinal Injuries Association’s (SIA) Strategy 2030, which focuses on improving the lives of people with spinal cord injuries.
Lynn Cawley, Chief Officer of Healthwatch Shropshire, emphasised the importance of listening to the spinal injuries community:
“We want to give a voice to people in Shropshire who have experience of spinal injury services. Their stories matter, and they deserve to be heard. By gathering people’s feedback, we can shine a spotlight on what is working well and where improvements can be made.
We also want to highlight the importance of the SIA strategy and ensure it is supported locally. We encourage anyone with any experience – good or bad – to get involved and share their views with us, whether online, by phone or email.”
Brendan Fitzgerald, Regional Representative and Support Coordinator for the Spinal Injuries Association in the West Midlands, welcomed the campaign:
“As someone with a spinal cord injury myself I’m delighted that Healthwatch Shropshire are taking steps to highlight and raise awareness of spinal injury services in the county, as well as the SIA’s 2030 strategy. This work is vital in ensuring that people with spinal cord injuries and their families receive the support, care, and opportunities they need to live fulfilling lives.”
Call to Action
Healthwatch Shropshire is urging anyone who has used spinal injury services in Shropshire – either as a patient or a carer – to get in touch and share their experiences.
You can share your views in the following ways:
- Call: 01743 237884 (09:00–17:00, Monday to Thursday)
- Post:
Healthwatch Shropshire
4 The Creative Quarter
Shrewsbury Business Park
Shrewsbury, Shropshire
SY2 6LG
Your feedback will help shape the future of spinal injury services in Shropshire and ensure that voices from the spinal injuries community are heard.
Ends
Notes for Editors:
Healthwatch Shropshire:
Healthwatch Shropshire is one of a network of 148 Local Healthwatch in England. It is supported by a national organisation, Healthwatch England.
It has a team working in community engagement, plus a volunteer programme, a visit programme to health and social care premises and an associate membership scheme to involve the public in its work. It also has a signposting service to help people access health and social care services and support.
Healthwatch Shropshire also provides the Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service (IHCAS) for Shropshire. The IHCAS service provides information, advice and, if necessary, can support people through the NHS complaints process.
Contact
Lynn Cawley, Chief Officer Tel: 01743 237884
4 The Creative Quarter, Shrewsbury Business Park, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 6LG
Tel: 01743 237884 Email [email protected]
Website www.healthwatchshropshire.co.uk
The Spinal Injuries Association:
The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) aims to reach everyone with a spinal cord injury, to tackle whatever barriers they face, and to connect them to all the help and support they need to flourish in their lives, in the way they want and choose.
Contact
Brendan Fitzgerald Regional Support Coordinator via [email protected]
You can view the 2030 strategy here and view their website at www.spinal.co.uk
SIA House, 2 Trueman Place, Oldbrook, Milton Keynes MK6 2HH.
Tel: 01908 604191 Email: [email protected] Website www.spinal.co.uk or their
