Healthwatch Swindon Respond to Swindon Advertiser Article: GWH Considering 30K Car Spend

Healthwatch Swindon respond to Swindon Advertiser article: “GWH considering £30k car spend to take patients ‘200 yards’”

For immediate release: Monday 6 November 2017

The Swindon Advertiser has today published an article relating to GWH considering £30k car spend to take patients 200 yards to SWICC.

Responding to the article, Healthwatch Swindon said:

“We are pleased to see that Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has acknowledged that difficulties have been identified with on-site transfers. We are encouraged that they are looking for solutions that will result in improved patient experience and will have a positive impact in trying to reduce delays. We will continue to meet with the Trust regularly to monitor progress and feedback any concerns that have been raised to us by local people.

Local Healthwatch are the independent champion for people who use health and social care services. We exist to make sure that people are at the heart of care.

We welcome feedback – good and bad about health care services, including NHS funded patient transport from patients, carers, friends and families from all local people who use them.You can contact Healthwatch Swindon by calling 01793 497777 or emailing:

The NHS in the South West is seeking views on how they can provide fair access to NHS funded patient transport.They will use feedback and comments to consider how to improve the fairness in the way patients are supported with NHS funded non-emergency patient transport.People can share their views by completing this survey:

-ENDS –

Note to editors

About local Healthwatch:

Local Healthwatch exist in every local authority area.We are the the independent consumer champions for health and care services in our communities. The role of a local Healthwatch is to make sure the health and care system in the area meets the needs of the people who use it. Feedback is gathered from patients and their families on services such as GP surgeries, care homes, hospitals, mental health and social care. These findings are then taken to the organisations which plan, pay for and deliver health and care services. Healthwatch Swindon is part of the Healthwatch national network, established by the Government to ensure local patients and users have a greater input to shaping local services.

More details:

For Healthwatch Swindon

T: 01793 497777 E:

Sent Monday 6 November 2017