NHS and social care services only make the best decisions if they listen to the people they care for. Read our national body's Annual Report to Parliament to see how your local feedback about services across Reading Borough has helped decision-makers prioritise what matters most, nationally.
What action has been taken by Healthwatch England
In 2021-22, Healthwatch England supported more than two million people to have their say on care and get the right advice. Here are just some of the ways we made a difference:
Explored vaccine confidence with people from different backgrounds.
Highlighted the negative impact poor NHS admin can have.
Helped the Government update key hospital discharge guidance to put patient safety first.
Raised public concerns about how the NHS collects and uses patient data.
Pushed for improvements to non-emergency patient transport services.
Called for an urgent response to hospital waiting lists, and better interim communication.
Warned that improvements to NHS dentistry are too slow, leaving thousands in pain.
Uncovered that only a third of NHS Trusts fully comply with their duty to help patients with sensory impairments and learning disabilities.
Campaigned for everyone to be given healthcare information in a way they understand.
What next?
The NHS and social care system, which we value and rely on, faces enormous challenges. Millions of people are currently on NHS waiting lists for vital surgery and treatment. Waiting times at A&E departments have risen. Seeing essential community services, like a GP or dentist, has become more difficult. And there's a similar picture in social care.
Healthwatch England's Interim Chair, Belinda Black, sets out how we will to help address the health and care challenges our nation faces in our report. She states:
Restoring confidence and building the health and care system we all want will not be easy. But, if NHS and social care decision-makers work with communities and put people’s voices at the heart of work to improve care, I believe that together we can. And this is where Healthwatch can play a vital role.
Three ways Healthwatch England and Healthwatch Reading will play our part:
Continue to support those who face the most significant health inequalities
Focus on the areas where people are facing the biggest challenges
Work to ensure patients have a strong voice in plans as the NHS reorganises itself into Integrated Care Systems.
Download the full report here.
Download the report in Easy Read here.
Download the report in large print here.
If you need this report in a different format, please email enquiries@healthwatch.co.uk or call 030000 68 3000.
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