Healthwatch impact award shortlist

We are pleased to announce that we have been shortlisted for a national award for our work helping to improve care for local people.

The National Healthwatch Impact Award recognises outstanding examples of where the views of local people have been used to make positive changes to local NHS and social care services.

As a local Healthwatch, we support people in a range of ways by offering information and advice, and we research projects to shine a light on people’s experiences of health and care. We also identify when things aren’t working well for people and, as well as advising on how individuals can get the care they need, we help the system learn from these experiences to help other people.

Our video (Healthwatch Surrey –  Video (youtube.com)) highlights one example of this. Chantelle told us how she was unable to access cancer screening. Chantelle has learning disabilities and is also a wheelchair user. We know that this means it’s especially important that she gets the support she needs as she’s further at risk of poor health outcomes. By sharing her story, we’ve helped Chantelle to access the screening that she should have and have helped ensure other people have better experiences going forward.

Please do contact us if you need information or signposting regarding health and social care services, or if you would like to share an experience with us.