Watchdog wants public’s view on East Midlands Ambulance Service

Healthwatch Northamptonshire, the local consumer champion for health and social care, is asking for members of the public to share their views and experiences of the service provided by East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS), ahead of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection which starts in mid-November 2015.

The CQC will not be holding any listening events prior to this inspection due to the large area EMAS covers. So it is really important for members of the public to let us know both good and bad experiences of using EMAS, so we can inform the inspectors of their experiences.

Rosie Newbigging, chief executive of Healthwatch Northamptonshire, said: “We want to hear from as many people as possible who have experience of using EMAS.

“We welcome the CQC inspection and we hope that the inspection, of what is a vital emergency service for all of us when we are seriously ill or injured, will help EMAS to develop the best possible care for patients in Northamptonshire.

“Healthwatch Northamptonshire recognises the vital lifesaving work which EMAS does every day and we want to work with EMAS to ensure that that the patients receive the best possible care when they need it. All relevant information that we receive will be passed on to the CQC as part of their inspection programme.

“We want local people to make their voice count,” she added.

Contact Healthwatch Northamptonshire by calling 01604 893636; texting 07951 419331; emailing at [email protected]; Facebooking www.facebook.com/healthwatchnorthamptonshire.co.uk; or Tweeting @HwatchNorthants.

Alternatively, you can write to Sunley Conference Centre, Park Campus, Boughton Green Road, Northampton, NN2 7AL