Healthwatch Solihull Contract – Briefing for Residents
Working together with Healthwatch Birmingham
As of the 1st July, Healthwatch Solihull will be working closely with Healthwatch Birmingham as a result of new contracting arrangements. This means that Healthwatch Birmingham and Healthwatch Solihull will be overseen by a joint governance Board with representation from both Solihull and Birmingham.
This will see no change to the role and function of Healthwatch Solihull, which will continue to be an independent local Healthwatch, with its own Healthwatch Solihull Delivery Board. Healthwatch Solihull staff and volunteers will continue to be dedicated to influencing improvements in health and social care services for Solihull residents.
Priorities and decisions for Healthwatch Solihull will continue to be made through hearing the voice of Solihull people, with their experiences of health and social care shaping the work carried out. Ensuring Healthwatch Solihull is publically led is, and will always be, a focus for Healthwatch Solihull. We will increase the levels of public involvement in our activity to ensure Healthwatch Solihull is for the people of Solihull.
Healthwatch Solihull’s closer relationship with Healthwatch Birmingham means that the views and experiences of Solihull residents can also be used alongside those of Birmingham residents. This will ensure Solihull residents voices are heard across the Birmingham and Solihull System. This will enable clear identification of where the needs of Solihull residents are different to those of Birmingham, and will help ensure services are adapted accordingly. Where cross-cutting issues affect both Solihull and Birmingham residents, investigations can take place across both localities in partnership highlighting the needs of Solihull people.
Staff from Healthwatch Solihull and Healthwatch Birmingham collecting a Highly Commended Award for our joint work on the NHS Long Term Plan at the National Healthwatch Conference 2020.
Healthwatch Solihull Statutory Functions
1) Gathering views and understanding the experiences of people who use services, carers and the wider community
2) Making people’s views known
3) Promoting and supporting the involvement of people in the commissioning and provision of local care services and how they are scrutinised
4) Recommending investigation or special review of services via Healthwatch England or directly to the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
5) Providing information (signposting) about access to services and support for making informed choices
6) Making the views and experiences of people known to Healthwatch England (and to other local Healthwatch Organisations), and providing a steer to help it carry out its role as national champion.
Healthwatch Manager, Natalie Travers said:
“The role of Healthwatch Solihull has never been more important. It is vital that the views of Solihull residents are heard throughout the restoration plans for health and social care post Covid-19. The experiences of individuals and communities is central to making sure Solihull recovers for all. Our whole team are keen to work with stakeholders, local organisations and residents to find out how we can work together to improve services for everyone”
For any more information, please get in touch
Website: www.healthwatchsolihull.org.uk
Telephone: 0808 196 3912
Email: enquiries@healthwatchsolihull.org.uk
Facebook: @Healthwatch.Solihull
Twitter: @HealthwatchSol