Walsall pioneers inspire NHS chief

NHS chief Sir David Nicholson was in Walsall yesterday (Weds)  and revealed how he felt “inspired” by the experience.

Sir David, Chief Executive of the NHS in England, visited Walsall’s Integrated Learning Disability Service to learn at first hand about a pioneering programme designed to tackle health inequalities.

The Pacesetters Programme has already led to more local people with learning disabilities gaining access to primary health care services including cancer screening. Local service users, health professionals and stakeholders have worked together to develop new communications practices that are being adopted across the whole of the West Midlands region.

Sir David told an audience at the Allen Centre in Willenhall that the Pacesetters Programme and further partnership working projects undertaken by the Learning Disabilities Service was “inspirational”.

He said:  “Many people including politicians talk a lot about providing services that are person centred but you are real because you are putting that into practice.”

He added:  Like everyone else in the NHS, we are all working very hard but today has given me fantastic strength.”
More information about the Pacesetters Programme and the work of Walsall’s Integrated Learning Disability Service is available by visiting www.walsallcommunityhealth.nhs.uk

Notes to editors:

For more information, please contact Peter W. Mitchell, Senior Communications Manager, NHS Walsall, 01922 619981.