Healthwatch Shropshire Launches Campaign to Hear People’s Experiences of Spinal Injury Services

News - 11 December 2025

Healthwatch Shropshire has launched a new campaign to understand more about people’s experiences of spinal injury services across the county. The initiative follows a recent visit by Healthwatch Shropshire volunteers to The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital’s Spinal Injuries Inpatient Ward in Oswestry, where staff and patients shared valuable insights into local health and social care services.
Woman in hospital bed talking to nurse

The campaign aims not only to gather feedback from people who have experienced spinal injury services - whether directly or as family members or carers - but also to raise awareness of the Spinal Injuries Association’s (SIA) Strategy 2030, which focuses on improving the lives of people with spinal cord injuries.

Lynn Cawley, Chief Officer of Healthwatch Shropshire, emphasised the importance of listening to the spinal injuries community:

“We want to give a voice to people in Shropshire who have experience of spinal injury services. Their stories matter, and they deserve to be heard. By gathering people’s feedback, we can shine a spotlight on what is working well and where improvements can be made. We also want to highlight the importance of the SIA strategy and ensure it is supported locally. We encourage anyone with any experience - good or bad - to get involved and share their views with us, whether online, by phone or email.”

Brendan Fitzgerald, Regional Representative and Support Coordinator for the Spinal Injuries Association in the West Midlands, welcomed the campaign:

“As someone with a spinal cord injury myself I’m delighted that Healthwatch Shropshire are taking steps to highlight and raise awareness of spinal injury services in the county, as well as the SIA’s 2030 strategy. This work is vital in ensuring that people with spinal cord injuries and their families receive the support, care, and opportunities they need to live fulfilling lives.”

Call to Action

Healthwatch Shropshire is urging anyone who has used spinal injury services in Shropshire - either as a patient or a carer - to get in touch and share their experiences.

You can share your views in the following ways:

Your feedback will help shape the future of spinal injury services in Shropshire and ensure that voices from the spinal injuries community are heard.

Further information:

The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) aims to reach everyone with a spinal cord injury, to tackle whatever barriers they face, and to connect them to all the help and support they need to flourish in their lives, in the way they want and choose. 

You can view the  2030 strategy here and view their website at www.spinal.co.uk 

 

Contact 

SIA House, 2 Trueman Place, Oldbrook, Milton Keynes MK6 2HH. 

Tel: 01908 604191 Email: sia@spinal.co.uk  Website www.spinal.co.uk or their Regional Support Coordinator Brendan Fitzgerald via b.fitzgerald@spinal.co.uk 

Take three minutes to share your experiences

NHS and social care staff are doing everything they can to keep us well during these challenging times, but there might be things that can be improved for you and your loved ones, both in the area you live in and across the country.

You can help make health and care services better by sharing your experiences and ideas.

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