Healthwatch Hertfordshire – Our Annual Report for 2016/17
Read about who we are, what we do and what we have achieved in this year’s Annual Report.
It is customary to begin an introduction to the Annual Report with something like ……. ‘Another year, another annual report and reflecting on what we have achieved’.
The report that follows does this – in presenting a broad overview of what we have achieved, how we work and the things we do. I think we can be proud of our achievements but know that we want to work differently to ensure we achieve the most we can in the future
Our key projects and research activity included:
- Engagement with over 200 people through an online survey and focus groups to gather their lived experience of using dental services
- A qualitative review of final letters sent to complainants at the request of West Herts Hospitals Trust
- Targeted research to understand the patient experience of the health and care system
- A call for evidence regarding dual diagnosis patients specifically for people with mental ill health and substance misuse
Some statistics from a busy year:
- Volunteers gave up 2,002 hours of their time
- Over 4,000 members received our newsletter
- We talked to 866 people about their experience of making an NHS or social care complaint
- Our volunteers completed 16 Enter and View visits
Our strategic objectives going forward include:
- Having strategic influence over health and social care in Hertfordshire
- Going from evidence to outcomes
- Growing our reach and communications
- Strengthening the voice of the public
- Securing sustainability and quality
Within this challenging world, we are very fortunate to have a voice that is listened to. Going forward we need to continue to ensure we provide every opportunity for the patient perspective to be heard and be influential.
