ABOUT US What is Healthwatch Staffordshire? Healthwatch is the new, independent consumer champion for health and social care in Staffordshire. Our job is to argue for the consumer interest for all those who use health and social care services in the county. Replacing the Staffordshire LINk’s role, we are backed up by a national body, Healthwatch England.
What powers does Healthwatch have? • Healthwatch Staffordshire has a seat on the local Health and Wellbeing Board the body that oversees health and social care in the country – and therefore can influence how services are set up and commissioned. • We have statutory powers to enter and view health and social care services using our trained Healthwatch Champion volunteers who undertake the role of authorised visitor. • Has a place on the new Quality Surveillance Groups that have been set up in the NHS to monitor provider quality. Healthwatch Staffordshire is delivered by Engaging Communities Staffordshire (ECS). ECS is a community interest company that brings public engagement, consultation and consumer advice services together in a central organisation to create evidence and insight to help improve local health and social care services.
The Healthwatch network is a new kind of consumer champion in health and social care. We will make sure the voice of the consumer is heard and acted upon. With our independent statutory powers, the network as a whole has a fantastic opportunity to make a difference. Healthwatch England looks forwards to making sure the public’s voice is heard loud and clear by those who plan, run and regulate health and social care services.
Anna Bradley, Chair of Healthwatch England
What does Healthwatch Staffordshire do? • Gathers the views and experiences of people within Staffordshire, about their health and social care priorities • Will produce reports which influence the way services are designed and delivered throughout Staffordshire • Provides information, advice and signposting about local services, as well as commissioning the NHS Complaints Support Service • Passes information, issues and concerns to health and social care regulatory bodies and escalate recommendations to Healthwatch England.