Agenda item

INTRODUCTION TO HEALTHWATCH HAVERING AND ANNUAL REPORT 2017/18

Minutes:

The Individuals Overview and Scrutiny Sub Committee welcomed Ian Buckmaster, Executive Director and Company Secretary of Healthwatch Havering who attended to give an introduction to the organisation.

 

Members watched two short videos:

 "We are the Borough's Independent health and care champion”, and “Share Your Story", which are both available on the website through the following link

https://www.healthwatchhavering.co.uk/

 

Healthwatch is a national initiative created in 2012 following the Public Enquiry into the failings at the Mid Staffordshire Hospital by Sir Robert Francis QC.  The report resulted in the government making it law that people should be at the centre of care.  Healthwatch’s role is to consider and understand the needs of different people ensuring that these views are heard by decision makers in health and social care.  Healthwatch have the power to Enter and View organisations that receive public sector funding and the resultant reports are available in the public domain.

 

Mr Buckmaster presented the Healthwatch Havering Annual Report as detailed in the agenda pack.  Healthwatch help to make sure views are heard and encourage services to work hard for everyone.  Members of the public have a greater say in their own care and everyone working together is helping to drive improvement through informed feedback and recommendations.

 

Over the past year Healthwatch has made over 60 recommendations to improve services following the Enter and View Programme which included visits to 10 GP’s, 3 hospital visits and 13 Nursing and Care Home visits, the reports of which are all available on the website.  Healthwatch have been listening to residents, voluntary organisations and other partners who have repeatedly raised concerns about sight services.  None of this work would have been possible without the Healthwatch team and the volunteer members that work very hard to produce really valuable work and reports.

 

Partnership working is key to the work that is done and invaluable to ensure that Healthwatch make a difference.  There are a number of examples of this work including:

 

·       Partnership with the CCG seeking the views of people about urgent and emergency care services – Right Care, Right Place, First Time

·       Healthwatch have reported on Sight Services responding to the concerns of local people and voluntary organisations

·       Raising concerns about the withdrawal of out of hours pharmacy services at Harold Wood Poly Clinic

·       Working with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the delays experienced by patients referred for treatment at BHRUT

·       Being part of the wider network of organisations involved with Learning Disabilities and Autism helping to improve health and social care services for individuals, their families and carers.

 

Healthwatch need input from local people to shape the health care needed now and in the future.  This helps to produce strong evidence for decision makers to act upon.

 

There is a strategic plan for 2018/19 ensuring that strategic objectives are met to ensure people are supported to have their say in order to make a difference together.  Relationships to develop relationships with policy makers will also continue.

 

The Individuals OSSC:

 

Thanked Mr Buckmaster for attending the meeting and for the interesting and comprehensive presentation.

 

Noted the details of the presentation.

 

Supporting documents: