Local CIC preferred bidder for new Healthwatch contract

HEALTHWATCH Wokingham Borough Community Interest Company (CIC) is delighted to announce it has been awarded the preferred bidder status of the Healthwatch contract in Wokingham for the next three years.

There is a Healthwatch in every Local Authority area. It is the independent champion for people who use health and social care services. They ensure that those running services, and the government, put people at the heart of care.

Healthwatch’s sole purpose is to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use health and social care services and to speak out on their behalf. It focuses on ensuring that people’s worries and concerns about services are addressed.

After a period of consultation around the possibility of jointly commissioning Healthwatch Wokingham with Healthwatch Reading which local people and many Councillors objected to and an in-depth tender process, that involved compiling a document detailing how Healthwatch Wokingham CIC meets the requirements of the local authority’s specification, it was confirmed that Healthwatch Wokingham CIC was the preferred bidder.

Healthwatch, which started in 2013, will continue to represent the views and provide a voice for local people in relation to the quality of health and social care services across the Borough. The new contract, which started on October 1, will build upon services currently provided such as providing local people with information, advice and support and signposting to health and social care services.

“The consultation and re-tendering process caused a period of uncertainty, staff and volunteers were unsure about the future. The whole organisation is energised by being awarded the contract as it means we can press ahead with plans, particularly focusing on adult mental health services within the Borough. We are developing our Communication Plan to engage, inform and influence across the Borough using a range of different activities and methods,” said Chair, Jim Stockley.

Cllr Richard Dolinski, Chair of the Wellbeing

Board, said: “As Chair of the Wokingham Health and Wellbeing Board, I look forward to welcoming Healthwatch Wokingham’s representative back onto the Board and continuing to work in partnership with them to strengthen the influence local people have on the commissioning, delivery and scrutiny of health and social care services across the Borough.”

People’s views come first – especially those who find it hardest to be heard. Healthwatch champions what matters to you and work with others to find ideas that work. Healthwatch, for the third year running, have opened a Commnity Investment Fund and are inviting local people and groups to submit applications to get views heard.

Healthwatch also has a number of committed volunteers who act as visitors to services, mystery shoppers and support stalls at the Wokingham Winter Carnival and Woodley Extravaganza.

Let Healthwatch know your views. Get in touch:

Phone: 0118 418 1 418

Website: www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk

App: Speak Up Wokingham (Free to download from Apple or Google Play)

E-Mail: enquiries@healthwatchwokingham.co.uk Facebook: @healthwatchwokingham

Twitter: @HWWokingham