Healthwatch Dorset launches its Annual Review and premieres new video at the Lighthouse, Poole
Healthwatch Dorset, the organisation that champions the health and social care rights of local people, launched its Annual Review “Loud and Clear: Making Your Voices Heard” atthe Lighthouse, Poole this week.
And what a year Healthwatch Dorset has had – culminating in winning the Making a Difference through Volunteering Award in the recent National Healthwatch Network Awards of Achievement, as well as being Highly Commended and shortlisted in two other categories as well.
Joyce Guest, Chair of Healthwatch Dorset, said:
‘In the last year, we’ve listened to the views of more than 5,000 people about their health and care services. Our Annual Review is a snapshot of the work and achievements of our hardworking and dedicated team of staff and volunteers. We are looking forward to achieving even more in the year ahead.’
At the event this week, attendees not only received a copy of the review, they also received a copy of “Louder and Clearer”, a report on Healthwatch’s work with local community groups. Both can be viewed on and downloaded from the website:www.healthwatchdorset.co.uk. Hard copies are available on request. They were also shown the premiere of Healthwatch Dorset’s new video “What A Difference A Year Makes”. The video can be seen on the Healthwatch Dorset YouTube channel.
Following the launch of the Review and video, there was a discussion about what people would like to see from the forthcoming Public Consultation to be held by NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group on the plans for a major shake-up of health services in Dorset.
Martyn Webster, Manager of Healthwatch Dorset, said:
‘We intend to keep up the momentum. With our 250 volunteers in local communities all across the county, we’re uniquely placed to feed information back to the decision makers about the real concerns and needs of actual and potential users of our health and social care services. Our volunteers act as our ‘eyes and ears’ on the ground, keeping us in touch with what local people really feel. It is they who make the difference and give us the power to influence.’
There was an immediate and very positive response to the launch event from those present. Poole Libraries (@PooleLibraries) tweeted ‘Enjoying an inspirational evening thanks to @HwatchDorset at the Lighthouse #loudandclear’ whilst Jack Welch (@MrJW18) commented ‘Impressed by the work of @HwatchDorset working to make sure voices of learning #disabilities are heard. #hwdlc’
To add your voice to theirs and to that of Healthwatch Dorset or if you are interested in joining their team of volunteers, contact them via their websitehttps://www.healthwatchdorset.co.uk, call them on 0300 111 0102, or pop in to talk to them at any Citizens Advice Bureau in Dorset, Poole or Bournemouth.
Matt Jenkins
