Concerns raised over Southern Health at public meeting

That was the message from Park Gate resident Richard West who attended a meeting organised by the public governors of Southern Health yesterday.

Around 30 people went to the informal meeting in Lyndhurst to discuss their concerns on Southern Health and the service it provides.

It comes as the trust was found to be failing in its duties to patients by watchdog the Care Quality Commission.

Mr West lost his son David in 2013 to a drugs overdose. He was being cared for by Southern Health and Mr West says failings at the trust contributed to the tragedy.

He said yesterday’s meeting was a step in the right direction for people getting answers.

‘This meeting is about building trust and confidence,’ he said.

‘We are not here revenge. We are here to help make the service better.’

A full Extraordinary Council of Governors’ meeting was meant to take place yesterday but it was cancelled.

Instead, four public governors decided to hold the informal meeting.

Mr West added: ‘The governors are meant to represent us so, although I am disappointed the meeting was cancelled, I am glad that some of them decided to hold one anyway.’

Peter Bell, one of the governors at the meeting, said: ‘I hope to hold more of these meetings. I just want the service to improve and people to be heard.’