Ruby Marshall MBE – it is with great sadness that we have to inform you Ruby passed away on Friday evening due to corona virus. We in NESCHA, but so many others, including Hartlepool Healthwatch, Carers and the Hospice, and so many in the region, and in the national NHS Forum, have lost a very respected, hard working, warm person who has always thought of others first.
We were glad that we were able to recognise fully her contribution when she stood down as Chair (see pictures below), but were pleased that she still continued as a Board member, alongside so many other commitments.Ruby will be a great loss to the community and her family.
Very sad news for us all as we know so many are suffering directly and indirectly from this terrible virus, and Ruby would be the first to think of others – as she always did.
Interviewed by Matt Bailey at 7.10am on 29th July about NESCHA views on imminent Andy Burnham announcement later that morning. I was greatly encouraged by his feedback ( he said it was interesting and ran over time!) and wrote the paper attached.
I never dreamt that one day I would be living the system!.
Sadly Robert my co-author , died when I was in hospital some years ago but my wife visited daily and then she lived with a diagnosois mixed dementia for over four years, was admitted to hospital last October and, following a rapid discharge to a care home, died peacefully in December .
Despite a professional background in social work and years spent working on improving health and care systems, nothing fully prepares you for living that experience. It brought into sharp focus both the compassion of frontline staff and the frustrations families can face when services are not as joined-up or consistent as they should be.
NHS de-frazzle new book and brilliant review