Since taking over as CEO in December 2023, Debbie Gilbert has brought about significant changes that have revitalized the organization and boosted morale among staff and volunteers.
A Fresh Perspective, A Promising Path
At the beginning of a period of transition for Healthwatch Cornwall, Debbie Gilbert was appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer. She has been in charge of overseeing the signing of new five-year contracts with Cornwall Council ever since she took on the post. This is a deliberate move that was made with the intention of ensuring the organization’s continued existence and growing its influence. In addition, Healthwatch Cornwall has moved its operations to new premises in Newham, Truro, which has provided the team with a more exciting and modern atmosphere.
According to Debbie, “A lot has happened, and a lot more will happen over the next year to ensure that we make an even more significant contribution to improving local health services.” Over the course of the next year, “a lot more will be happening.” Her purpose is straightforward: to ensure that decision-makers in the National Health Service (NHS) hear the voices of the local community and understand the health experiences of the community members.
The primary objective of Healthwatch Cornwall is to gain an understanding of the health concerns that are prevalent within the community and to bring these concerns to light. Debbie emphasized that the organization has accomplished a lot of admirable work in the past, but that it is now working toward expanding its operations and having a more significant influence.
The most important priorities for the coming year are outlined in the annual report that was just recently issued. Two of the priorities in this framework are reexamining earlier studies on the cost of living and concentrating on the most crucial issues that the community has identified. At the center of their agenda are concerns regarding the limited availability of services and the disparities that exist in the field of mental health. In addition, the organization intends to do additional research into the inequities that exist in terms of access to dental treatment.