The voices of more than 700 adults, many of whom have significant communications difficulties, are making themselves heard with a response to the consultation on the NHS White Paper, Equity and Excellence – Liberating the NHS, thanks to Stevenage-based advocacy charity, POhWER.

The response was presented to local MP, Stephen McPartland at POhWER’s office by Chief Executive, Valerie Harrison, and trustees Judith Smart, Arthur Bate, Neil Hoskins and Owen Parry. Stephen pledged to personally give the response to the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley, and added, “This response is exactly what the White Paper is aiming at, we want to involve as many people as possible in determining the future of the NHS. POhWER and its work personify what we mean by ‘the big society’. I am very proud to give the views of so many disadvantaged people over to Andrew Lansley, and I know he will be equally delighted to receive them”.

POhWER Chief Executive, Valerie Harrison says: “The principle of ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’ means a great deal to us and we are very glad the government has decided to adopt it. We hope our response will make a meaningful contribution to the consultation and our energy and passion will inspire the NHS to not only to listen and respond to people like us, but value our experience and respect the level of commitment it often takes for us to achieve what for others may seem straightforward tasks”.