Healthwatch Torbay have scooped a national Highly Commended Award at the Healthwatch Annual Conference.
Celebrated every year, the Healthwatch Network Awards recognise the ways in which the Healthwatch Network across the country have helped make people’s views of health and social care services heard over the last 12 months.
This year, Healthwatch England received over 150 award entries, with Healthwatch Torbay winning a Highly Commended Award in the Engagement in Service Improvement category for highlighting concerns about local home care. They raised these client concerns with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which led to the CQC placing them into special measures until improvements were made.
Accepting the award was Healthwatch Torbay Chair Dr Kevin Dixon and Healthwatch Torbay CEO Pat Harris, who said: “Our Healthwatch Torbay staff team and dedicated volunteers are very proud to receive a national award for our work locally in Torbay, in a very tough category against some exceptional competition. However, this would not have been possible without members of the public sharing their concerns with us in the first place. We accept this award on their behalf and thank them for speaking out and making a real difference. This is a true testament to how the voices of just a few people can make a big difference and we hope to continue raising local public concerns to those in charge and improving the way services are delivered locally.”
Healthwatch Torbay now has regular meetings with the local authority, commissioners and service users regarding home care and also regular joint meetings with local CQC lead inspectors.
Jane Mordue, Chair of Healthwatch England, said: “Once again, the Healthwatch network have highlighted the fantastic work that they do. The wide range of submissions, and the strength of those shortlisted, is testament to how the Healthwatch network is using people’s voices to make a difference to health and social care services.
If you would like to raise any concerns or share your experiences with local health and social care services, please call free on 08000 520 029, email info@healthwatchtorbay.org.uk, or visit www.healthwatchtorbay.org.uk to rate and review a service in confidence online. You can also visit them in person during the week upstairs in Paignton Library.
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