The latest from the Healthwatch team
Healthwatch have undertaken numerous projects including:
GP Survey. GP Enter and View as well as online patient and user surveys are now complete, and a small army of volunteers have been helping our Head of Intelligence Dr Roland Marden with what is likely to be two months of analysis and report writing. Already the CCG are using data from the online survey in their planning and commissioning. We achieved nearly 1500 responses and a 97% confidence rating in terms of statistical significance. This demonstrates once again that people often find it easier to talk to their independent Healthwatch in preference to service providers or commissioners directly.
General Medical Council. In November 2017 Healthwatch Brighton and Hove will be hosting three focus groups in partnership with the General Medical Council (GMC). The aim is to get more members of the public involved in the Medical Revalidation process which is an important part of the licensing system for all doctors in the UK.
Health and Wellbeing Board. At the November 2017 Health and Wellbeing Board meeting, Healthwatch will be presenting a report on the Community Equipment Service - jointly with Brighton and Hove County Council (BHCC) and the NHS. We have also asked a question to the Board about how new legislation about charging will be implemented. Under the new regulations people can be refused Community Health Services if they cannot disclose their immigration status. In 2015 Brighton and Hove was awarded City of Sanctuary status recognising that refugees and dislocated people are welcomed in our community.
Patient Transport Services. In December 2017 Healthwatch Sussex-wide will be re-running our Patient Transport Service (PTS) consumer survey. We continue to work with the Commissioners and the new service providers South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) to improve this essential service. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be reviewing PTS services in their February meeting and Healthwatch look forward to providing evidence to that committee.
Focus on frail and elderly. In January 2018, Healthwatch and a range of partner organisations will be launching a consumer focused review of hospital and community care for Frail Elders. Details are in the planning stages but one focus will be making sure Frail Elders have access to healthy, nourishing and enjoyable food and drinks.
CQC & Healthwatch inspect mental health. Currently Healthwatch Sussex-wide is, for the first time, joining Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors in quality and safety inspections around the County. In Brighton and Hove, the Healthwatch Chief Officer and our lead volunteer for mental health are joining a number of unannounced inspections over October and November. This is the first time nationally that joint visits of this sort have been done on this large a scale; Healthwatch Brighton and Hove, East and West Sussex are all involved. CQC are hoping that Healthwatch will provide essential local insights and detailed knowledge of services. Healthwatch will enforce our independence whilst participating in this work and provide opportunities within the inspection process for patients, family/friends and staff to share issues and concerns with us confidentially.
