Healthwatch –playing your part in improving services

Consultation is now under way on plans to set up an independent Healthwatch organisation, which will replace the existing Bury Local Involvement Networks.

The consultation, which runs until the end of November, asks residents to list their priorities for the services they would like to see, and practical questions around access to information and communications between the service and service users.

Councillor Rishi Shori, cabinet member for adult care, health and well-being, said: “As a Bury resident you have a right to be involved in discussions and decisions about your health and social care services. Your views will be taken seriously in helping us to make a difference - so please take the time to complete the online questionnaire so that we can improve health and social care services to truly reflect your needs.”

The four main functions of the independent Healthwatch service will be to:

• Influence - by presenting the views and experiences of local service users to decision-makers at national level
• Signpost - providing information for accessing services and promoting choice
• Advise - supporting people to make the right choices for them.

• Watchdog - holding service commissioners and providers to account by: championing quality and supporting groups and individuals to pursue and resolve issues; approaching commissioners and providers of services on people’s behalf and seeking responses to particular concerns raised; alerting Healthwatch England to concerns about specific care providers.

There are several ways to take part in the consultation:

Online: fill in the questionnaire at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3JZ6LBX

Hard copies of the questionnaire are also available from Shirley Allen at S.Allen@bury.gov.uk

Attend a Shaping Healthwatch public meeting:

* Monday 12 November (1-3pm) at Redvales Children’s Centre,25 Dorset Drive, Bury.

* Thursday 15 November (6-7pm) at Butterstile Children’s Centre,ButterstilePrimary School, School Grove, Prestwich.

 Email your views to S.Allen@bury.gov.uk  or call Beth Plant on 0161 253 6300.

ENDS

Press release issued: 2 November 2012.