PRESS RELEASE: Annual Report published by Healthwatch Doncaster shows outcomes of local people’s views on health and social care

News - 30 June 2019

Healthwatch Doncaster is pleased to publish its Annual Report 2019-20, reflecting on a year that saw local people have their say around health and social care and which culminated in delivering virtual sessions during the Covid-19 pandemic

Blue coloured rocks with messages of positivity written on them

Over 5,400 comments were received from local people through a variety of projects which ranged from local issues such as Access to GP services and Urgent Emergency Care to responding to the NHS Long Term Plan proposals.

These resulted in Healthwatch Doncaster continuing to engage, inform – and importantly – influence decision making within health and social care at regional and national levels.

This has been recognised by the Outstanding Achievement Award given by Healthwatch England for co-ordinating the regional Healthwatch response within South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw (Barnsley, Bassetlaw, Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield) on the NHS Long Term Plan, that saw 1,300 people provide their views.

Healthwatch Doncaster Chief Operating Officer Andrew Goodall said:

“I’m pleased that Healthwatch Doncaster has been the voice for local people to share their experiences of health and social care services and we’ve spoken to a wide range of people across different projects.”

Included in the report is our continuing commitment to support local community groups and organisations through our micro-grants, helping young people fulfil their potential through vocational placements and working with seldom heard groups

Our volunteers shaped the delivery of a project on Urgent and Emergency care, spending time overnight speaking to people in Accident and Emergency at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, leading to involvement on the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Integrated Care System Innovation Fund for Urgent and Emergency Care Services.

The team has adapted to the new ways of working since the lockdown was announced in March and we are excited about continuing to help local people have their say on health and social care services in new and innovative ways

Healthwatch Doncaster Chief Operating Officer Andrew Goodall

The report will be shared with local and national stakeholders including Healthwatch England and the Care Quality Commission.

The Annual Report is available to download here

Notes to editors:

Healthwatch Doncaster is a Community Interest Company as of 1^st July 2016, to continue its work across Doncaster supporting the improvement of health and care services through engagement, involvement and influence.

This entails engagement work throughout the community and signposting people to the right service.

Press release contact:

Healthwatch Doncaster Chief Operating Officer Andrew Goodall:

[email protected]

01302 965450

07834 686855