PRESS RELEASE: Healthwatch Doncaster shortlisted for prestigious national award
Healthwatch Doncaster has been nominated for a prestigious national award for helping local people have their say on urgent and emergency care services, this feedback was well-received by service providers.
Healthwatch National Event
Healthwatch Doncaster was shortlisted under the ‘Celebrating our volunteer team’ category in the Healthwatch Awards 2020, which are run by Healthwatch England.
This annual event – which this year is taking place virtually due to the pandemic – celebrates the difference Healthwatch’s 4,400 staff and volunteers have made over the past year. Healthwatch Doncaster is one of only 30 local Healthwatch out of a total of 152 across England to be in the running for one of the awards.
Work during the pandemic
Like their colleagues across the country, Healthwatch Doncaster staff and volunteers have been supporting their local community more than ever through the pandemic by:
- Finding out what people like about health and social care support, and what could be improved
- Helping people find the information they need about services in their area and;
- Encouraging those in charge of NHS and social care services to make the changes that communities would like to see.
In addition, the team at Healthwatch Doncaster have also been delivering Daily Dose sessions on Zoom/Facebook on a range of subjects involving guest speakers, whilst the Reaching Out service has helped people experiencing lonelineliness, to receive a friendly phone call from our team and volunteers.
The overall winner from each category will be chosen by a panel of judges and announced during Healthwatch Week, which runs from Monday 2 November 2020.
Healthwatch Doncaster Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Goodall, said:
“It’s fantastic to see the hard work of our volunteers, led by our Engagement and Volunteer co-ordinator Sandie Hodson, receive national recognition for their contributions in helping local service improvement.”
As always, Healthwatch Doncaster is very proud of our volunteer team
"The volunteers initiated the A&E project and contributed their time and energy to make it happen with very encouraging outcomes," said Sandie Hodson, Healthwatch Doncaster Engagement and Volunteer co-ordinator.
Making communities proud
Sir Robert Francis QC, Chair of Healthwatch England, said: “I never stop being inspired by the dedication of local Healthwatch staff to making care better for their communities.
“Whether reaching out those whose views are not being heard, helping people to find the support they need or making sure NHS and social care services act on the improvements that the public want to see, the award entries highlight the difference local Healthwatch make.
“I would like to congratulate everyone who has been shortlisted. They have done their communities proud.”
Healthwatch Week
The overall winner from each category will be chosen by a panel of judges and announced during Healthwatch Week, which runs from Monday 2 November 2020.
More information about the shortlist can be found here on the Healthwatch England website.
For more information about Healthwatch Doncaster and how its team continue to support people throughout the pandemic, click here.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Healthwatch Doncaster is a Community Interest Company as of 1st 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 Engagement and Volunteer co-ordinator Sandie Hodson:
07834686852 or 01302 965450
Healthwatch Doncaster Chief Operating Officer Andrew Goodall:
07834 686855 or 01302 965450
