Roger Tippings, from Saltford, spent 30 years as a nurse in the NHS, and after spending time on general wards and in mental health nursing, is now volunteering for Healthwatch B&NES.
Roger retired in 2010 from a career in health and social care-related services, as he wanted to use his time to help people.
“I saw that the point of Healthwatch is to ensure that the public’s views are heard by their local health services and healthcare professionals.
“As a retired nurse, this intrigued me so after finding out more about Healthwatch I decided to volunteer.
“I attend many Health and Social care committees on behalf of Healthwatch to champion the patient and public voice.
“I also sit on Clinical Commissioning Group’s quality committee and participate in Enter and View visits: these allow a team of volunteers to visit care homes and hospital wards to gather an understanding of the patient experience.”
Morgan Daly is the Manager of Healthwatch Bath and North East Somerset.
He said: “Roger does an excellent job representing patients and making sure that their voices are heard. At Healthwatch we rely on volunteers like him.
“We provide full training and support and help them find a role which suits their interests and expertise.”
Roger explained what he gained out of volunteering for Healthwatch.
He said: “Volunteering for Healthwatch has given me an increased understanding of the workings of the NHS.
“I have also been given a greater insight into the public’s perceptions of Healthcare.
“By attending healthcare board meetings and Enter and View visits, I feel I am having a positive impact on my community.”
To find out more about becoming a Healthwatch Volunteer, contact The Care Forum’s Volunteering Team on T: 0117 9589308 or E: [email protected]
