Warwickshire councillor shares cancer battle while pushing for better Rugby health services
Jerry Roodhouse calls for local healthcare access and compassionate care
Last updated 16th Dec 2025
Warwickshire’s longest-serving councillor Jerry Roodhouse has opened up about his personal experience with cancer as he campaigns for improved healthcare services in Rugby.
The Liberal Democrat group leader for Warwickshire County Council and Rugby Borough Council received unanimous support and a standing ovation from colleagues for introducing plans to establish a Rugby health partnership agreement.
The agreement aims to ensure that healthcare in Rugby is delivered close to home, with compassion, and shaped by the community and its feedback.
Personal story
Cllr Roodhouse, who has been deeply involved in public service for over 30 years, recently chose to share parts of his cancer journey while advocating for better healthcare in Rugby.
He revealed his involvement in an NHS patient experience video titled ‘Is okay good enough?’, drawing attention to issues such as Rugby patients being routinely asked to travel to Coventry for appointments.
Speaking about the motion, Cllr Roodhouse said:
“Some people have asked whether I would have brought this motion regardless of the journey I’m on – the answer to that has to be yes.
“My journey has shown me how vital, from day one, local and compassionate healthcare is.
“Through my journey I have learned that it is really important to be treated with compassion and to have people listen to you. They cannot be optional extras but people who have been down those routes will know that it can seem that way.”
The health partnership plan
Under the approved motion, Rugby Borough Council will send requests to the Integrated Health Board, University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire Trust, South Warwickshire Foundation Trust and Warwickshire County Council to collaborate on and support the health partnership plan.
The council will establish a cross-party working group, aiming to bring health bodies and patient groups together to improve access to local care and communication about health services.
Cllr Roodhouse highlighted existing concerns with an example from a local resident:
“They had a letter come through telling them what was wrong with them, a diagnosis, but they had not seen a consultant or anyone else.
“It was a very serious diagnosis. It came up on the app and in a letter, they hadn’t seen anyone else. That cannot be right.”
Support from council leaders
Portfolio holder for partnerships and wellbeing Councillor Maggie O’Rourke supported the motion, emphasising the need to reduce unnecessary trips to Coventry and Warwickshire hospitals for treatments that could be provided locally.
“Jerry’s own experience clearly demonstrates that unless you ask, you might not get that choice. That just isn’t acceptable,” said Cllr O’Rourke.
She added that there should be clear communication plans so Rugby residents are fully aware of their choices in local healthcare.
Additionally, council leader Councillor Michael Moran confirmed funding for a health project manager to implement these proposals.
A focus on compassion in healthcare
Cllr Roodhouse rounded off his speech with a call for healthcare providers in Rugby to prioritise compassion and connection in patient care.
“I’ve been treated okay,” he said.
“I am going through the system and it’s okay, but is that good enough? Is that what we expect? Personally, I think we could and should do better.
“Just a few of the right words at the right time in the right place from a health professional makes that individual feel like they are a human being rather than going through the sausage machine.”