Parish Council Forum 27 th January 2014 Jennifer Fenelon Healthwatch Rutland 27 January 2014

What is Healthwatch ? Healthwatch is not Another government Quango Something run by the council, or by the NHS A bright idea dreamed up by a few local people Nothing to do with me

So what is a local Healthwatch? A local Healthwatch is: A local community champion A critical friend to health and social care commissioners and service providers A way for you to have a say about the services you (or your friends or family) receive both now and in the future A way for you to find the kind of services you need A public voice for the people of Rutland on health and social care and its development

Who is Healthwatch for? Healthwatch serves all the people who live in and around Rutland including those who use health or social care services: children, young people, families, people with disabilities, older people, people who are vulnerable in any way and their carers ‘Health and social care services’ include hospitals, community services, doctors’ surgeries, pharmacies, dentists, optical services, care services, services provided by social workers – providers and commissioners

Healthwatch Rutland Healthwatch Rutland is a local Healthwatch in Rutland and for Rutland It is an independent organisation, funded by government finance but separate from the council and the NHS There is a local healthwatch in every county and unitary authority across England – 152 in total Healthwatch England provides a national voice to highlight key issues

What does Healthwatch do? Listening – to you and the people of Rutland, particularly people who don’t feel that anyone is listening to their views about services Signposting – giving you information so that you can find out about the health and social care services available for you to choose from Influencing – the people who plan, commission and provide services. Working with other local Healthwatch and Healthwatch England to represent your views locally, regionally and nationally

Listening What people think is good/bad and what they want for the future Listening – to those who want to talk Listening – to those who do not want to talk or are out of sight Our partners are listening too– carers, neighbours, organisations, churches, politicians, parish councils

Influencing A “critical friend” to providers and planners (with powers of Enter & View) Within Rutland – Local health and social care Outside Rutland – In hospitals in 8 counties and more: Rutland, Leicester, Leicestershire, Northants, Peterborough, Cambs, Notts and Lincs.

Signposting There is good evidence that informed patients & public use services better but many people do not know where to look. Signposting - our Partnership with Rutland Citizens Advice Bureau from April 2014 A “ one stop ” information service at CAB offices in Oakham Outreach services Healthwatch weekly surgeries Sounding out users – we are starting to get out around Rutland to ask what people want to know. Gathering Health information – we are working with other Healthwatch in East of England and Healthwatch England to provide CAB with quality assured information. Partners can help us by letting people know about the signposting service and telling us what people want to know.