Learn more about Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust at its annual members’ meeting

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is inviting people to attend its annual members’ meeting on Friday 27 September.

The annual members’ meeting provides an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the past year, including the multi-million-pound openings of a new health and wellbeing centre in Dartmouth and at Torbay Hospital a new day surgery and eye surgery unit, endoscopy training unit and radiotherapy planning CT suite. Torbay Hospital was also selected as one of only six hospitals in the country to take part in a ground-breaking cancer vaccine trial, and became the second highest recruiter to cancer research trials in the country.

There will be hands-on demonstrations from the Digital Futures innovation team, including an eye-tracking wheelchair to help patients with motor neurone disease (MND) to communicate and AI-powered avatars which are being used to train doctors, nurses and care workers in a range of settings and environments. You can even feed a virtual unicorn or dragon, which have been created to calm children while they undergo medical procedures. Nick Peres, Programme Director for Digital Innovation and Transformation will talk about the benefits and possibilities of using technology and some of the groundbreaking work this team is involved with.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Chairman Professor Chris Balch is inviting people to attend the meeting – his first at the helm. He said: “Our people work incredibly hard to provide compassionate care for the people in our communities who rely upon us.

“Our annual members’ meeting is our chance to thank our people, to reflect on our achievements of the past year, and to talk to people in our communities about our plans to provide better health and care for people in Torbay and South Devon.

“As an NHS foundation trust, our annual members’ meeting gives people an opportunity to talk to us, and for us to listen to their experiences, views and comments about the care we provide. Everyone who lives and works in Torbay and South Devon can have a say in how our organisation is run and we depend upon people being involved as a member to help make important decisions about how we spend the money available to us and the services we provide.

“Being a member also gives you the right to elect members to our Council of Governors or becoming a governor yourself, to ensure the voice of your community is heard when we’re developing services. Please do come along to our meeting, learn about what we do and have your say on helping us to build our brighter future.”

The event takes place from 11am -1pm at TREC in Torbay Hospital. It’s free to attend and it will be livestreamed for anyone who is unable to join. For more information or to register, email our Foundation Trust Office or call 01803 655406.

If you’re not yet a member, you can join online or talk to members of the governing body at a stand in Courtenay Street, Newton Abbot from 9am-1pm on Saturday 21 September who can answer your questions about how you can make a difference and influence how NHS services are delivered. Members also receive discounts and benefits.