WORCESTERSHIRE health bosses have paid tribute to the Peter Pinfield who passed away on Friday at the age of 73.
Former councillor Mr Pinfield was the chairman of Healthwatch Worcestershire, playing a pivotal role in ensuring that NHS organisations involved patient and public views in the design and delivery of local services.
Simon Trickett, Chief Executive of NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire CCG, said: “This is really sad news for Worcestershire.
“We have lost an exceptional man, with huge knowledge, experience, and enormous insight.
“Most of all Peter was a really lovely man who supported and championed health and care services, he was always challenging when he needed to be but was also able to empathise with a lot of the challenges that we faced.
“I can’t think of anybody else who has had the impact that he has had on local public services over such a long period of time, always making sure that we focused on patients and the wider community.
“We are all devastated to lose his input, support, and friendship, but he leaves an extremely strong legacy and I hope that his family in particular are really proud of everything that he achieved.”
Matthew Hopkins, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, added: “Peter was a tireless champion of patients and carers in Worcestershire and he was dedicated to making sure they had a say in any decisions about how their health services were planned or delivered.
“In his role as a critical friend to our Trust, he was hugely supportive of our efforts to improve services for patients, but also prepared to challenge us if he felt we needed to do better.
“He will be greatly missed, but he leaves behind a great legacy and I am sure that his Healthwatch colleagues will build on what he has helped to achieve.”
And Sarah Dugan, Chief Executive of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, added: “I am so sad to hear this news. Peter was such an incredible person who committed so much time to improving services and representing local people.
“Our sympathies go to Peter’s family, friends and colleagues.
“Peter worked incredibly hard to ensure the voice of patients were at the heart of local healthcare. He was a true champion for patients and carers across Worcestershire.”
Click here for more on Mr Pinfield’s life as a councillor and more tributes from his council colleagues.
