Celebrating 10 years of Healthwatch
Our local Healthwatch is an effective voice for local health and care service users, shining the light on where we could do better but always offering constructive suggestions for improvement.
In 2013, Healthwatch was launched to put people's voices at the heart of health and social care. Since then, you’ve shared more than 44,000 stories, views and experiences with us, telling us what’s working and what isn’t when it comes to your health and social care.
With your help, we’ve been able to improve health and social care services for everyone.
It is impossible to describe everything that Healthwatch Brighton and Hove has done and achieved over the last 10 years, but below we have highlighted a sample of our projects. You can read about them and others in our report available at the end of the page.
- Our dedicated Healthwatch Helpline has answered over 3,000 of your queries and questions.
- In 2022, we supported patients at New Larchwood Surgery to overturn a decision to reduce opening hours at a local GP surgery.
- Over the years, more than 4,000 of you have shared your views about GPs with us enabling us to highlight concerns around the falling number of GPs in the city.
- We've listened to your dental inquiries and concerns and together with Healthwatch teams across Sussex, created a guide to your rights and to support you to access the treatment you need. We've raised your concerns in Parliament.
- Since 2017, using our Enter and View powers, our volunteers have conducted regular visits to our local hospitals looking at the physical environment and how this could be improved. They have made 27 visits to over 50 wards and departments making over 450 recommendations. This has helped to build a stronger partnership with Trust staff.
- Starting in April 2018 (and paused for two years during COVID-19), our Homecare Project has seen over 20 volunteers conduct almost 1,000 hours of interviews with more than 540 residents about their home care, from 15 different providers.
- In 2017, we commissioned YMCA DownsLink Group to find out what young people think about health and social care. Over the years we have used these findings and communicated them to the people who run services, so they know how to best support young people and help make their services as accessible as possible.
- We've issued over a thousand newsletters, bulletins and articles containing information, advice and guidance.
- Our projects have received 4 awards, receiving national recognition.
Downloads
We have been supported by a team of amazing volunteers who have been at the heart of our organisation since 2014.Thanks to their efforts in the community, we have been able to understand what is working and what needs improving in the NHS and social care. Over the last 10 years, over 150 people have chosen to volunteer for us, including 25 Board and Governing members. Thank you.
Together, we’re making health and social care better for everyone.
Whether you spoke to us at an event, over the phone, or left a comment online – it mattered. Because of you, we’ve raised awareness of the big issues, and championed change. Share your feedback today to help improve future services.
Watch this video from Healthwatch England, to mark the difference the public has made in improving NHS and social care services.
