Feedback’s crucial role in shaping health care

HEALTHWATCH Rochdale has published its annual report for 2019/20, highlighting the ways in which feedback from borough residents made a difference to local NHS and social care services in 2019/20.

The annual report, titled ‘Guided by you’, outlines the work of Healthwatch Rochdale over the last twelve months, the impact this work has made and details of future plans.

The independent body, which uses feedback from patients and members of the public to make improvements to local health and social care provisions, had previously appealed to residents to continue giving feedback online and over the phone after lockdown made in-person consultations virtually impossible.

Kate Jones, Healthwatch Rochdale chief executive officer, said: “The Annual Report highlights and reflects the diverse and crucial work the organisation has been involved in over the last year. We have tried new and innovative ways to engage with local people and we will continue to review and develop our communication channels to ensure the residents of Rochdale are aware of our service and what we offer.

“Due to Covid – 19 our Enter and View programme has been cancelled and we have had to develop new ways of working and engaging with local people. We have created new communication channels and are leading on providing health and social care information for Rochdale residents with partner organisations under #Together Rochdale.

“I would like to thank the staff team, volunteers and partners for helping us achieve our mission statement, to be the independent voice of local people in challenging and influencing health and social care provision in the Rochdale borough.”

The reported stated that Healthwatch’s top priorities for 2019/20, agreed by the Healthwatch senior leadership team following a consultation exercise with the public, professionals, staff members and volunteers in the borough, were improvements in primary care and adult social care.

It also found that 370 local people shared their experience of health and social care services throughout the year, and the body conducted eight ‘Enter and View Reports’ (unannounced visits to care facilities) with 32 recommendations for improvement arising from them. Around 1,200 people were given information, advice and signposting support online, by phone and face to face, and 541 people spoke to the body about the role of Healthwatch.