MP invites local residents to share their views on local health and social care

Local MP Tim Farron has backed a new scheme launched by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which regulates health and social care in England and Wales. The innovative pilot invites members of the public to give feedback on their experiences of healthcare services, whether good or bad.

Whilst the CQC carries out unannounced inspections of hospitals, care homes and agencies that provide care in the home, information provided by the public is vital to help improve care services throughout the country. People wishing to give feedback can either take part in the survey online by visiting www.cqc.org.uk and click on the 'tell us about your experience' link, or by filling out a hard copy feedback form.

Tim is urging his constituents to voice their opinions on their experiences of healthcare in the SouthLakes, especially in face of a disappointing recent CQC report on the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust earlier this year.

Commenting, Tim said: "Over the past few years I have been contacted by hundreds of constituents, both to praise our local doctors and nurses, but also to express concerns about the way that our local hospitals were being run. Thanks to the efforts of our hard working healthcare staff and the new management team, our hospitals are starting to turn the corner. I welcome this new scheme by the CQC which I think will really help in both pinpointing problems and praising good work."