Emma is supporting the charity Rethink to give patients with mental illnesses a voice as the government imposes a top-down reorganisation of the NHS.

Rethink Mental Illness is spearheading a coalition of 11 of the UK’s top charities representing millions of patients who will be affected by the proposed NHS reforms.  The aim of the event – attended by more than 30 patient representatives from across the different charities - was to tell MPs and Government that they must start listening to the views of patient groups during the ‘pause and listen’ period of the Health and Social Care Bill.  

Rethink Mental Illness wants to ensure that patients have a real say in how services are delivered and play a meaningful role in the governance of their local GP consortia. 

Under existing proposals, despite claims about empowering patients, GP consortia could almost have free rein in deciding the services they provide.  There is nothing to stop decisions about the services needed being made behind closed doors, without publishing minutes and with no requirement for members of the public to be represented on consortia boards.

Emma said,  “This was an excellent opportunity to hear firsthand from patients with a real range of experiences. They know the kind of improvements that can be made to the NHS, and therefore it is vitally important that their views are taken into account in the process of reforming it. 

“I was delighted to join forces with Rethink Mental Illness to bring these issues to the fore. We know that some groups can struggle more than others to get their voices heard, and I want to make sure everyone in Wolverhampton gets to have a real say in how health services are delivered locally.”