Government Policy - A new Direction
The Government’s health and social care reforms are centred on the fundamental principle that patients and the public must be at the heart of everything our health and care services do.
As part of this intent the Health and Social Care Bill currently going through parliament has provision in it for the establishment of HealthWatch.
Subject to Parliamentary approval HealthWatch England will commence on 1st October 2012, with Local HealthWatch in place by 1st April 2013.
HealthWatch will give people real influence over decisions made about local services; it will support individuals as well as engaging communities; and HealthWatch England will ensure that consumer voice has influence not only locally but nationally too.
What is HealthWatch?
HealthWatch covers health and social care. It can be described as a consumer champion. Its role is to champion the views and experiences of patients, people using services, carers and the wider public.
There are 2 elements of Healthwatch
- HealthWatch England: A national body operating within the care quality commission providing leadership to local HealthWatch and advising the NHS commissioning Board.
- Local HealthWatch: Acting as consumer champion for local people regarding health and social care services.
What will Local HealthWatch do?
Local HealthWatch has 3 principle responsibilities:
- To Influence: Help shape the planning of health and social care services
- To inform: Provide information about health and social care services and support people in choice.
- Watchdog: To act as a watchdog pursuing peoples interests with local providers.
Commisioning Healthwatch
We are now in the process of commissioning our Local HealthWatch. Further details on what we want and expect Local HealthWatch to deliver are shown in our specification document which can be accessed on the Related Documents section of this webpage.
If you’re interested in this opportunity, please register with
www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk
Further Information
View the emerging legal framework- The Health and Social Care Bill
Downloadf the thinking in B&NES - The local engagement presentation
Download HealthWatch Pathfinder application