RESIDENTS are being urged to submit their experiences of using the Great Western Hospital and other NHS facilities in Swindon and across Wiltshire.

Patient group Healthwatch is calling on people to share their experiences ahead of the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) routine inspection of the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Prior to the inspection of the Great Western Hospital, the community hospitals and other community-based health services run by the trust, Healthwatch Swindon and Healthwatch Wiltshire will be gathering views and experience of local patients, carers and the public to present to the CQC to help inform the inspection team.

Healthwatch Swindon’s manager, Pete Rowe, is hoping Swindon residents will get involved.

“Our role at Healthwatch is to give local people a voice and to ensure their feedback and experience, both good and bad, are captured and represented,” he said.

“When we did this in 2013, we received some excellent input from the public, which was invaluable to the inspection team.

“I do hope that people will see what a great opportunity this is to share experiences.

“It’s such a good way to both help influence change and highlight good practices.”

The CQC asks the same five questions of services they inspect, which are: are they safe; are they effective; are they caring; are they responsive to people’s needs; and are they well led?

The CQC inspection is a critical tool to monitor, inspect and regulate health and social care services to ensure people are being provided with fundamental standards of quality and safety.

Healthwatch Swindon and Healthwatch Wiltshire will be at The Brunel Centre (Plaza side, outside Sainsbury’s/Marks & Spencer) on Saturday (August 22), from 10am to 4pm, along with members of the CQC inspection team, to capture and discuss experiences and feedback.

For those unable to visit event they can call the CQC on 03000 616161, email enquiries@cqc.org.uk, or visit www.cqc.org.uk and write to CQC, Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4PA.

Healthwatch Swindon can be contacted on 01793 497777 or via email info@healthwatchswindon.org.uk.