George Loughlin – June 1948 to May 2023

George Loughlin first became a Healthwatch Cheshire West Operational Committee Member in 2015, before becoming a Healthwatch Cheshire Board Member in 2017 when the local Healthwatch contracts for Cheshire East and Cheshire West were amalgamated.

From the outset, George appreciated how Healthwatch can change people’s situations for the better. He was an active, stalwart, supportive volunteer with a fantastic sense of humour and love of life.; always ready to listen, learn and share. He was an extremely well-respected member of our Board and someone we turned to for a fair and level-headed point of view on any issue.

In August 2018 George attended Westminster Abbey on behalf of Healthwatch Cheshire with former Board Member, Brendan Doyle, to celebrate the NHS’ 70th anniversary. His passion for people and the NHS is evident in his detailed account of the day – George Loughlin – NHS 70th Celebrations

He remained a key member of the Healthwatch Board until recently when health issues meant he could no longer contribute as he wished to.

We are sorry to have lost a great friend and ally in George. He will be sadly missed by all at Healthwatch and we will be forever grateful for the positive and important contributions he made over the years.

Here are some of the tributes we’ve received from George’s colleagues:

“George was always such a staunch champion and guardian of people’s rights and dignity. His skills and passion mean that so much has been put in place to enable so many people to have their voices heard in relation to health and social care services.

On a personal note, George was a guiding light, a voice of reason and humour, and always gave both his great counsel and much valued support generously. He enriched the lives of many people, directly and indirectly, and his legacy will live on in the work of Healthwatch, and in my own personal and professional endeavours.

A true gentleman who will be remembered with fondness, thanks and affection.”

“I remember George as a brilliant man, a great ambassador for Healthwatch and really personally supportive.

My condolences to George’s family and our Healthwatch colleagues. I shall make a donation to Macmillan Cancer Support in George’s memory.”

“George was generous and warm-hearted, and was always full of enthusiasm and passion for Healthwatch Cheshire. As a Board member but also keen volunteer, his input particularly on Enter and View visits and designing the process and reporting was invaluable.

It was also fantastic to see George’s joy at taking part in the NHS’ 70th birthday celebration as Healthwatch Cheshire’s representative at Westminster Abbey, about which he wrote a moving account about the experience and love for the health service.”

“This is very sad news indeed. George was such a lovely man and supportive colleague.”

“A visit to the Healthwatch Office from George was always so positive as his passion for life was abundantly evident. His obvious pride in all of his girls was so uplifting and I often thought what a marvellous Dad he must be. It was a true pleasure to work with him.”

“Such sad news to hear, I loved working alongside George and hearing his wonderful insights, for all the years he had been involved with Healthwatch. He will be missed by those who had the pleasure of knowing him.”