Knight shift for Healthwatch Newcastle
Jon Knight is a national Director of St John Ambulance and previously worked at a high level at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The former Ashington High School student has a passion for addressing health inequalities and getting the best out of local communities. He has a firm belief in the value of charitable and voluntary and community organisations.
The Healthwatch Newcastle mission
“Our mission at Healthwatch Newcastle is to make it easier for people to get access to the health support they need and generally improve the system by supporting those who are working in it."
“In my day job, I work for St John Ambulance looking after our volunteers and national programmes for young people. I get to see the very best in people and also have an everyday insight into working within the healthcare system. It’s a fact that everyone at some time will need to use the health or social care system. It is right that we ensure that it works in the very best way for us all. That is why I am so keen to be a part of Healthwatch Newcastle.”
What are the challenges?
One of the biggest challenges Jon faces in his new role is the variation in healthcare provision from one area to another and the difficulty in reaching everyone in the community.
“If you are ill or in need of care, you should have equal access to the right treatment or help in a timely manner. There is an inequality that needs addressing. By feeding information back to the healthcare providers and stakeholders we can - and will - make a difference to the quality of life for many people who use health and social care services in Newcastle.”
“We’ve got a really great Committee here at Healthwatch Newcastle and a small team of dedicated staff who work incredibly hard to improve services. I’m delighted to have joined such a worthwhile organisation”, he said.
When Jon isn’t working or volunteering with Healthwatch Newcastle he enjoys playing the drums and walking his rescue dog in the Northumberland countryside.
Take a look at the Healthwatch Newcastle Committee profiles here
