The event created a welcoming space for people to share their experiences, learn about support available within local NHS services, and see how feedback is already driving improvements in care.
A series of presentations in the site’s Lecture Theatre highlighted key themes, including how patient feedback is being used to improve experience, wider work around accessibility and support for carers, and a powerful session on inclusive communication led by a family member sharing their mother’s experience as a patient.
The event also gave attendees the opportunity to understand more about work being undertaken across local hospitals to improve access to a range of interpreter and translation services.
This includes video relay, telephone and face-to-face support, helping to improve access to British Sign Language and spoken interpretation services available 24 hours a day.
Alongside this, attendees took part in facilitated “conversation café” discussions, exploring topics such as access, communication and future priorities, helping to draw out honest insights and shared themes from across the community.
A range of stalls hosted by partner organisations and Trust teams provided opportunities for one-to-one conversations, advice and demonstrations. These proved particularly popular, sparking meaningful discussions and helping people connect with services and opportunities to get involved.
Kirsty Clarke, Associate Chief Nurse, and lead for patient experience at the Trust said: “We’d like to thank everyone who attended and shared their experiences so openly and honestly. Hearing directly from patients, carers and our communities is essential, and it’s important that we continue to work in partnership to shape improvements and changes in care.
“There was a real sense of collaboration throughout the day, and it was encouraging to see people wanting to stay involved and be part of shaping our services going forward. This is not about a single event, but about building stronger, ongoing partnerships so lived experience helps shape how our services develop.”
The event has already led to increased community involvement, with a number of attendees signing up to become Community Connectors and others expressing interest in supporting future initiatives, including one individual registering to take part in the Trust’s upcoming charity abseil.
The Trust will now review the feedback gathered and use it to inform ongoing improvements to services. The event forms part of wider work to strengthen how patient, carer and community voices help shape improvement and change across the organisation.
As part of this commitment, there will be a clear focus on feeding back to those who took part, ensuring patients, carers and community members can see how their experiences and suggestions are influencing decisions and service development.