Healthcare votes cast at workshop

12:21pm Tuesday 17th June 2008

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MEMBERS of the public have joined medical experts at a workshop to help decide the future of the region's health services.

More than 120 people met at The Valley, Floyd Road, Charlton, to discuss and vote for the factors they want considered by the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts, which is reorganising hospital services in south-east London.

Participants in the June 10 workshop comprised four groups of 30 - clinicians, expert patients, NHS management and the general public.

After a day of discussions they voted on their top criteria from a list of 17.

An overwhelming majority of 95 votes were cast for "clinical quality and safety", while "skilled staff" and "improving patients' experience" were also high on the list.

The committee will make a decision in July after taking on board the results from the four groups, as well as findings from the A Picture of Health consultation document sent to 11,000 homes in the region.

Roger Smith, the medical director at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, was in the NHS management group.

He said: "It's been a very important day and I think it has given the public, patients, managers and health professionals an opportunity to influence the outcome.

"In my particular group we thought improving patient experience and clinical quality were the most important criteria.

"The idea of having four groups was a good one as it gave the public a chance to have their say without being influenced by the professionals and managers."

Stephen Doran, a firefighter from Lee Gate in Lewisham, was in the general public group.

He said: "I use Lewisham Hospital and so this decision is very important to me.

"It's really nice to be involved in the decision-making process."

The 23-year-old added: "I think skilled staff are the most important factor."

Results from the public consultation will be revealed in two separate sessions in the King William lecture theatre at Greenwich University on Friday.

To book a place at one of the sessions, which start at 3.30pm and 6pm, call 0800 321 3579 or send an email to apoh@lewishampct.nhs.uk