Healthwatch Gloucestershire

Barbara PirantyChief Executive

April 2014

HealthwatchHealthwatch is the independent

consumer champion for health and social care in England, giving children,

young people and adults a powerful voice

The role of Healthwatch

• Influencing • Signposting• Advocacy

What have we achieved so far?

•Development of systems to support our work•Chair and Board recruited•Regular visits to all six districts •88 talks and stand activity (15 in Stroud district) •1,700 comments collected from the public•53,489 visits to the Healthwatch Gloucestershire website•Over 1,200 enquiries received

•420 members registered•659 Twitter followers•Active Facebook page•Healthwatch representation on 23 external working groups•17 members taking part in PLACE visits (Patient Led Assessments of the Care Environment)•Statutory seat on Health and Wellbeing Board•Seat on Safeguarding Boards

•Seat on Hospitals Trust Board of Governors•Seat on NHS England’s Quality Surveillance Group•Regular presence at Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings •Regular engagement with Healthwatch England•Good relationships with commissioners and providers•Building strong cross border relationships•National profile •Developing meaningful engagement seldom heard groups

How have we done it?•Ongoing Media campaign •Leaflets and newsletters•Interactive website•Developing relationships with key partners in the wider VCS •Involving board and wider membership•Constant visible presence in districts•Remaining accessible

What happens to your views?

How do we influence?• Regular distribution of public comments to commissioners and

providers, Care Quality Commission, Healthwatch England and NHS England

• Key themes to Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Health and Wellbeing Board, VCS Alliance, Quality Surveillance Group, Hospitals Trust Board of Governors, Healthwatch representatives on external working groups

• Contribution to National and Local Consultations• Safeguarding Boards• Active involvement in national work • Building relationships

Signposting/Advice

Advocacy

Our Commitment•Healthwatch information and services easily accessible •6 Board meetings held in public in the six districts per year •Ongoing community engagement activity•Lay involvement and representation•Continuous feedback to enable continuous improvement•Regular Healthwatch feedback to communities and other stakeholders

What have we learnt so far?Gloucestershire

Issues:

•NHS 111•Hospital Discharge•Patient Transport Services•Late running appointments in clinics, especially chemotherapy •GP appointments•A and E confusion•Cross border issues•Long waits for care assessments•Domiciliary care•Community care not joined up

What next?

•Key Projects list•Emerging issues•Involving wider membership•Ongoing engagement•Local and national consultation

Key Projects 2014/15(in alphabetical order)

 •Access to Podiatry Services •Discharge Pathway •Fibromyalgia / ME•GP Appointments •Learning Disability •Mental Health Early Intervention for Young People •Patient Transport Services •Urgent Care (Ambulance / A&E)

Questions?