Work to improve the hospital discharge process shortlisted for Healthwatch England 2022 impact award
The Healthwatch network awards aim to showcase the best projects carried out by local Healthwatch over the last year.
There are over 150 local Healthwatch across England, so we were delighted to be one of only eight that were nominated.
Shortlisted for the impact award 2022
Healthwatch Bolton for ensuring more people from minority communities get screened for cervical cancer by increasing information and raising awareness to help remove the barriers some communities face.
Healthwatch Brighton and Hove for getting a local GP surgery to reverse a plan to reduce their opening hours. A step which would have left residents struggling to access appointments.
Healthwatch Bristol for implementing changes to the discharge process at their local hospital to make it safer for patients and ensure people better understood what was involved.
Healthwatch Hackney for getting over 80% of their local practices to change their patient registration policy, so it's easier for those experiencing homelessness to see a GP.
Healthwatch Kent for improving mental wellbeing and digital skills within their Nepalese community, ensuring they can access care and reducing inequalities the community faces.
Healthwatch Norfolk for implementing a hearing loss and deaf-friendly charter that highlights good communication practices and ensures people with hearing loss can access primary care online.
Healthwatch South Gloucestershire for improving the care offered to new mothers by the health visiting service. Their work has helped to develop new services that better meet the needs of new parents.
Healthwatch Sunderland for getting mammogram recall letters made available in an easy-read format for all women in England who need it. And, for raising awareness that this service is now available.
Many congratulations - your local Healthwatch has been shortlisted for one of these awards because their efforts and dedication have resulted in real impact, achieving tangible improvements for local health and social care users.
With services seemingly more pressured than ever, the role of Healthwatch as health and social care champion is particularly vital and we must ensure that people’s voices are heard and service leaders act on feedback. Our impact awards demonstrate the many different ways Healthwatch represent their communities and act as a force for positive change both locally and nationally.
Healthwatch Hackney took home the award, for improving access to GP services for local refugees, asylum seekers and other residents.
