Heroes, dragons and a TV doctor – come and celebrate 70 years of the NHS

30th August 2018

TV doctor Helen Lawal will headline Dorset HealthCare’s Annual Members’ Meeting on Wednesday, 12 September, alongside the annual Heroes Awards for outstanding staff achievement and a Dragons’ Den competition to find innovative ways of improving patient care.

The day – themed around this year’s 70th anniversary of the NHS – is open to everyone and is free to attend. But places are limited and tickets are going fast, so anyone interested is urged to book in advance.

Dorset HealthCare provides NHS inpatient and community-based care across Dorset, covering both physical and mental health, including 12 community hospitals. The Annual Members’ Meeting (AMM) brings together members, patients, staff and the wider public to reflect on the work of the past 12 months and look to the year ahead.

The keynote speech is always a highlight of the event, and it will be delivered by a very special guest.

Dr Lawal is a GP who has co-presented two Channel 4 series, How To Stay Well and Food Unwrapped. This summer she joined presenter Jo Brand as the in-house medical expert on the new BBC Two quiz series, Britain’s Best Junior Doctor.

She works across both the NHS and private sectors to set up lifestyle medicine clinics and wellness centres. Nigerian born and Yorkshire bred, Dr Lawal is also a keen health and lifestyle blogger, loves Yoga and practices mindfulness and meditation.

The day begins with the 2018 Dragons’ Den final, where staff pitch new ideas to help improve patient care, with up to £10,000 available to develop the best proposals. Last year’s winners have established music sessions for young people with mental health problems and tango dance classes to help people regain their mobility after operations.

Chief Executive Ron Shields will lead reflections on the past year at Dorset HealthCare and look ahead to future developments before a buffet at 5.30pm, with Dr Lawal taking to the stage at around 6.30pm.

And the day will round off with the 2018 Heroes Awards, recognising Trust staff nominated for exceptional work and achievements across eight categories.

Trust Chair Andy Willis said: “All the fanfare around the 70th anniversary of the NHS has provided a reminder of how much Dorset HealthCare is appreciated and valued by people from all walks of life.

“Our AMM day of events will celebrate our history and the ongoing excellence of our staff, and also look ahead to the future. Having Dr Helen Lawal as our keynote speaker is the icing on the cake.

“It promises to be an inspirational, fascinating day. Everyone is welcome, so please come along and find out more about our Trust.”

There is plenty of parking and public transport links available near The Lighthouse, and you can attend just for the parts of the day you are interested in.

Find out more and book your place at www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/amm or call 01202 277085
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