Healthwatch Rochdale highly commended at national awards

The work done by Healthwatch Rochdale has been recognised as ‘Highly commended’ in this year’s Healthwatch Network Awards for the outstanding achievement category

Healthwatch Rochdale has been recognised as highly commended in the outstanding achievement category at the 2019 Healthwatch Network Awards.

Listening to people's views on the NHS Long Term Plan in Greater Manchester saw Healthwatch Rochdale recognised as highly commended in the Outstanding Achievement category at the annual Healthwatch Network Awards that took place in Birmingham this week.

Working with local Healthwatch partners (Healthwatch Bury, Healthwatch Manchester, Healthwatch Oldham, Healthwatch Salford, Healthwatch Stockport, Healthwatch Tameside, Healthwatch Trafford and Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh with Bolton co-ordinating the response) the ‘What Would You Do?’ campaign saw over 2,100 responses from people across the region. Results from service user feedback focused on the following:

• Individuals being able to access the help and treatment they need when they want it
• providing tailored support to individuals
• increasing the use of technology for booking appointments and
• helping people look after their health so they can remain in their own home.

The 51-page report was presented to the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership in July to a fantastic response, with updates delivered to local stakeholders and partners, alongside publication on our website.

Every year, the Healthwatch Network Awards celebrate the many positive stories of how the local Healthwatch network is helping to make care better for thousands of people. The awards are an opportunity to demonstrate where local Healthwatch worked within the local community to make sure health and social care services meet people's needs.

Healthwatch listen to what people like about the NHS and social care and what needs to be improved. Their views are shared with health and care professionals so that services can understand what people and their families want from care.

The local Healthwatch shortlisted for 2019 Healthwatch Network Awards were picked from almost 150 award entries.

The winner and the highly commended from each category were chosen by a panel of external judges at the Healthwatch England Annual Conference on 1 October 2019.

Kate Jones, Healthwatch Rochdale Chief Executive Officer, said: "The recognition from Healthwatch England is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of local Healthwatchs and stakeholders, coming together to capture the passionate opinions of people in the region about the NHS Long Term Plan". 

Imelda Redmond, CBE, National Director of Healthwatch England said: "The Healthwatch Network Awards is a fantastic event which showcases the very best of local Healthwatch and it’s an opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate the impact our teams and volunteers have in improving health and care across the country.

"The awards demonstrate the breadth of issues local Healthwatch work on every year. Their work makes sure people’s experiences are placed at the heart of the services they receive. I’d like to acknowledge and thank all the network and congratulate those who took part, they have done their communities proud".