A local community champion has released its 2024–25 Annual Report, highlighting a year of impactful community engagement, meaningful partnerships, and people-driven improvements to local health and social care services.
With a mission to amplify public voices and ensure care reflects the lived experiences of local residents, Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay supported 5,764 individuals this year and gathered feedback from over 1,500 people, making real changes in the process.
The new report highlights how Healthwatch published 11 key reports in 2024–25, addressing topics from pharmacy closures to the challenges faced by unpaid carers. Key outcomes and impact detailed in the report include:
• Their Unpaid Carers Report, based on the experiences of 240 carers, led to new dementia training locally and informed a national Parliamentary Inquiry into Adult Social Care Reform.
• Co-designing a new and improved complaints process with University Hospitals Plymouth based on real patient experiences—now a model for other NHS Trusts.
• Healthwatch worked closely with NHS Devon on the 10-Year Health Plan, gathering 3,500 pieces of feedback through surveys, workshops, and community events. This feedback is now shaping the Government’s health priorities both locally and nationally.
• Public Health Devon used Healthwatch-run focus group feedback to develop a health needs assessment that looks at the social, emotional and mental wellbeing needs of adults with autism or ADHD.
• In Plymouth, patient feedback led to improved safety measures at the new Royal Eye Infirmary, including the installation of a pedestrian crossing.
• Meanwhile in Torbay, Healthwatch collaborated on a Cardiovascular Disease prevention project that delivered free blood pressure checks to the public—helping identify early-stage risks and reduce pressure on GPs.
The work of 22 dedicated volunteers underpinned Healthwatch’s outreach and research efforts. From gathering community stories to promoting digital health access, volunteers played a critical role in making care more responsive and inclusive. Junior Healthwatch Reporters also engaged children and young people in conversations about the NHS’s future. One such volunteer is Dr Kevin Dixon, Chair of Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, he said:
“We’re proud to have delivered tangible improvements this year by putting your voices front and centre. From shaping national strategy to making local services safer and more inclusive, we remain committed to championing community voices every step of the way.
“Our new Annual Report emphasises the power of co-design, collaborative working, and evidence-led advocacy to improve care. It shows the hard work and dedication of the Healthwatch volunteers and staff and why listening to patients is so important. I want to thank everyone who has supported Healthwatch in our ultimate goal to improve health and care for us all.”
The report informs readers that with continued funding from Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council, and Torbay Council, Healthwatch remains committed to:
1. Enhancing access to care through technology,
2. Improving services for children and young people,
3. Tackling health inequalities,
4. Supporting mental health, and
5. Addressing the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on wellbeing.
It can be read in full on the Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay website – www.hwdpt.org – where the public can also share their own stories about local health and social services anonymously online.
For more information, or if you would like to volunteer with Healthwatch, email info@hwdpt.org or call free on 0800 520 0640.
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