Deputy PM Attends First NHS Listening Event For Patients

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Care Services Minister Paul Burstow today heard views from patients at the first listening event on NHS modernisation exclusively for patients.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley today also met staff and patients at a listening event at a GP consortium.

Following a tour of the stroke and outpatients wards at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, the Deputy Prime Minister and Care Services Minister met over 30 patients from the local area to hear their views and discuss modernisation plans. They were joined by Professor Steve Field who is Chair of the NHS Future Forum which will drive engagement in the ongoing listening exercise.

The Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Secretary recently announced that the Government would use the natural break in the parliamentary timetable to pause, reflect and improve upon our proposals to modernise the NHS and safeguard it for the future. So far, over 119 listening exercise events have been organised, with more planned. The Government has made clear this is a genuine opportunity to listen to views and make any necessary changes for a stronger NHS.

Speaking after the event, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “We’re all committed to creating a world-class health service which is why events like this are so important. We want to make a real difference for patients and listening to them is the only way we are going to make this happen.

“I’ve learnt a lot today about how the public feels about our changes to the NHS and I’m confident that by taking this chance to pause and really engage with staff and patients, we can ensure that we modernise the NHS to improve the health service for everyone.”

Care Services Minister Paul Burstow added: “This is the first listening exercise I’ve been able to take part in and I’d like to thank the patients who took the time today to share their views with us.”

(BMcN/GK)