Front and Centre: Unlocking the power of people
The Annual Report highlights the considerable work undertaken over the last 12 months and the impact Richmond Healthwatch has had at a local, regional and national level, including:
- Supported more than 4,100 people to have their say and get information about their care
- Successfully campaigned for a new pharmacy to open in Hampton restoring vital services to our residents there
- Secured a commitment for more NHS dentistry capacity within Richmond in 2025/26.
- Influenced the national plans for Physician Associates
- Helped around 6,800 people to find support or help finding services by phone, email and our printed guide
We’ve been supported in this by 21 fantastic volunteers contributing some 450 hours of their valuable time.
We've spoken truth to power and held to account those making decisions about our services, giving our community a voice nationally as well as in the hospitals, care homes, GP practices and boardrooms of all of Richmond’s providers.
But this is not a time to rest and celebrate a job well done.
In the coming year the NHS and social care system faces financial challenges from increasing costs and reduced income caused by the financial pressures.
Politically, the NHS 10 Year Plan appears to dramatically change the role of patient voice in the NHS and social care. Our understanding is that our role an powers will be transferred to Local Authorities and to Integrated Care Boards.
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independent
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interested in borough and neighbourhood level issues and able to work on the ground at this level,
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led by members of the public,
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integrated (i.e. NHS & Social care)
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able to speak truth to power.
Whilst the year ahead may be our last, our strong finances, governance and statutory basis mean that we are well placed to continue delivering and assuming that we are replaced by arrangements that meet the above requirements, able to handover our work effectively.
Read the full report
How did we do?
We'd like to hear about your experience with Healthwatch Richmond so that we can measure our performance. Originally it was our intention to continuously improve however we now intend to use these findings to guide and measure the success of what replaces us.
Your answers are anonymous so please be honest as your feedback is incredibly helpful to us.
This survey will take about 5 minutes to complete.
CLICK HERE
If you would like more information, have any questions or would like to discuss any of this, please contact us at hello@healthwatchrichmond.co.uk or call 0208 099 5335.
