NHS boss Amanda Pritchard is giving a free talk in Elephant and Castle about the future of the health service – and residents are being invited to ask their burning questions.
The Chief Executive of NHS England, and formerly Chief Exec of Guy’s and St Thomas’s Hospitals will take the floor at London South Bank University (LSBU), on Wednesday 7 February.
She will address the theme: ‘What sort of health service will England need by 2030?’ – and talk about the challenges the NHS faces, the impact of new technologies, digitally enabled care, and the steps being made to future-proof our health service and support its workforce.
Following the lecture, there will be an opportunity to ask about any related topic.
Chairing the talk will be LSBU Chancellor Sir Simon Hughes, who told us this is an ‘excellent opportunity’ for people to get their questions answered.
The former MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark told us: “She knows more than anyone what we need and as a non-political figure she can tell us what’s going on.
“This is meant to be for the community as much as it is for students. I encourage people to come and listen to her – and if they have any questions they want answered about the state of the health service or its future, then this is an excellent opportunity.
“I’m so pleased she agreed to attend – I had her in mind for a while as a guest speaker, given that the NHS is such a hot topic right now.”
The university trains a quarter of newly registered nurses in London, as well as many other clinical roles within the NHS. As such, Hughes said the theme is particularly important to the LSBU community.
Asked what he would be asking Ms Pritchard himself, Hughes said: “My main questions will centre around mental health care at home and why we couldn’t have a service like that for physical care – with district nurses and visits.
“I know many people who have suffered from mental health issues and would have benefitted hugely from regular visits.”
He added that another topic will be ‘how we hold on to the medical staff we train,’ commenting: “Many finish their training here and then move elsewhere to work, often due to the pay being higher.”
This event is open to all members of the public, (including LSBU Group students) free of charge, and will be followed by refreshments and a chance to talk together.
The annual lecture is the first of its kind as part of the Chancellor’s Public Lecture Series at LSBU.
This lecture will take place on Wednesday 7 February at 6 pm, at the Southwark Campus, in the Hub, London Road, Elephant & Castle, London SE1 6LN.
Reserve a spot here.