Healthwatch Rochdale publishes 2019/20 annual report

Healthwatch Rochdale

Healthwatch Rochdale has published its 2019/20 annual report ‘Guided by you’, demonstrating how the people of the Rochdale borough have made a difference to local NHS and social care services.

The annual report outlines the work of Healthwatch Rochdale over the last twelve months, the impact this work has made and details of future plans.

In addition, analysis of local priorities put improvements to primary care and adult social care at the top of the list for 2019/2020, agreed by the Healthwatch senior leadership team following a consultation exercise with the public, professionals, staff members and volunteers to identify what matters to the people of Rochdale the most.

The annual report highlights that in 2019/20:

• 370 local people shared their experience of health and social care services with the organisation
• 1,213 people were given information, advice, and signposting support online, by phone and face to face
• 541 people spoke with Healthwatch in the community about its role
• 8 Enter and View reports were published with 32 recommendations for improvement

Kate Jones, Healthwatch Rochdale Chief Executive Officer, said: “The annual report highlights and reflects the diverse and crucial work the organisation has been involved in over the last year. We have tried new and innovative ways to engage with local people and we will continue to review and develop our communication channels to ensure the residents of Rochdale are aware of our service and what we offer.

“Due to Covid–19 our Enter and View programme has been cancelled and we have had to develop new ways of working and engaging with local people. We have created new communication channels and are leading on providing health and social care information for Rochdale residents with partner organisations under #TogetherRochdale.

“I would like to thank the staff team, volunteers and partners for helping us achieve our mission statement, to be the independent voice of local people in challenging and influencing health and social care provision in the Rochdale borough.

Healthwatch Rochdale is the independent consumer champion for health and social care, representing the patient and public's voice in Rochdale, helping to shape and improve local health and social care.

It is part of Healthwatch England, the independent consumer champion for health and social care in England, which has independent statutory powers, as stated in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, to ensure the consumer’s voice is heard and best practice is delivered in health and social care nationally.

You can download the full report from the Healthwatch web site: 

• www.healthwatchrochdale.org.uk