Volunteers sought to improve East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

The group will be formed by Healthwatch East Sussex in a bid to increase patient and public engagement with the trust’s hospitals and contribute to its improvement plan.

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, which was rated inadequate by inspectors from the Care Quality Commission following an inspection in March, runs the Eastbourne DGH and The Conquest in Hastings.

A spokesperson for Healthwatch East Sussex said: “Designed on what people tell us about their experiences with the trust, activities will also be influenced by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) report, expected to be published shortly.

“No matter what your level of experience of the health and social care landscape, we need volunteers from across East Sussex to join the group, including from: within our existing pool of volunteers, individuals from specific groups in the community, including people of all ages, women who have used local maternity services, carers, people with disabilities, patient participation groups, county, district, town and parish councils and

colleagues within the voluntary sector.”

The task group will have a ‘visible presence’ within the trust and will aim aiming to make sure patient feedback is ‘at the heart’ of the trust’s action plans.

Chief executive of the trust Darren Grayson stepped down in July, following a vote of ‘no confidence’ by councillors on East Sussex County Council’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee in May,

A second CQC report, which was expected to be published in July, will focus on an unannounced inspection which took place in March, just days before the first report was published.

Training and support will be offered for the role, as well as reimbursement of travel expenses, all reasonable access costs, carers and child care costs (subject to individual agreement).

To find out more contact Elizabeth Mackie, volunteer and community liaison manager on 07794 097719, or email [email protected] by September 11, 2015.

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