SaTH Appoints First ‘Community Engagement Champion’

1 September 2017

The Trust that runs Shropshire’s two acute hospitals has appointed its first ever ‘Community Engagement Champion’.

Kate Ballinger is The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust’s (SaTH) new Community Engagement Facilitator.

It is a completely new position created to encourage and enable the community to become actively involved in decision-making and shaping services at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) and the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Telford.

Kate said: “My role is to enable people from across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales to get involved with their hospitals on their journey to provide the safest and kindest care in the NHS.

“I am passionate about making sure that the community’s voice is heard and valued within the Trust, so it really is an opportunity to make a difference. We want to be the best at involving the community and making sure that they feel part of the journey.

“This role demonstrates that the Trust is listening – because it really is.”

Clare Jowett, Head of Assurance, said: “We are delighted that Kate joins SaTH as Community Engagement Facilitator. This is a new and exciting role and demonstrates just how much the Trust values the communities that it serves.

“Kate brings with her a wealth of experience in public engagement, and will help grow their involvement in how the Trust shapes its services in the future.”

Kate will be venturing out and about in the communities of Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales to spread the word about how they can get involved.

Kate, 51, is married to Eaun and they live in Telford. They have four children and two dogs. In her spare time, Kate enjoys craft, including knitting and crocheting – mainly for her three grandchildren.

Kate is no stranger to public engagement as she is the former Chief Officer at Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin. She was also the Patient Representative of Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) governing body.

The Trust will be holding its next Working in Partnership engagement event on 22 September from 1pm-4pm at the Shrewsbury Conference Centre (SECC) at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. It is being held to develop the Trust’s engagement plans for the future and is open to all community, voluntary and third sector organisations.

To book a place at the event, email kate.ballinger@sath.nhs.uk or contact (01743) 492280.