‘Celebrate NHS, don’t knock it!’

There has been a glowing endorsement of the NHS from a leading local health official who has urged politicians, the public and health professionals to work together to raise standards in the NHS.

In his foreword to this year’s Rural Primary Care Conference, to be held at Gregynog Hall, from September 25-27, Dr Martin Green (pictured)¸ chairman of Montgomeryshire Medical Society (MMS), remarks about all the negativity surrounding the NHS.

“Seemingly whenever we see the news there is another negative story about the NHS courtesy mainly of our politicians and journalists,” he states. “A large ray of sunshine was that in an English survey over 99% of families and patients would rate their experience of a particular ward in a positive light. This is, I am sure, a reflection of the true state of the NHS.

“Let us hope a similar survey in Wales would show matters to be even better! This is our NHS: the public, politicians and staff need to work together to raise standards for the good of all.

“As we meet in Gregynog, we can celebrate quality health care and learn to do even better in our daily practice. High morale and high standards appropriately portrayed are vital to keeping a vibrant rural workforce and attracting new recruits to all disciplines.”

The three-day conference, which attracts GPs, nurses and practice managers from across Wales and as far away as Cumbria, is hosted by MMS in partnership with the Institute of Rural Health with the support of Prostate Cancer UK and the pharmaceutical industry.

The popular annual event is designed to meet and address the learning needs of healthcare professionals working in rural primary care, particularly GPs. This year’s programme includes hot topics in rural practice and neurology, men’s health and clinical skills in primary care.

For further information and booking details, please contact Ann Whale, conference co-ordinator, on Tel: 01686 629480 or annw@irh.ac.uk.

Picture: Dr Martin Green, chairman of Montgomeryshire Medical Society.