Celebrating ten years of people speaking up to make care better
Ten years of listening and working for change
In 2013, Healthwatch Coventry was launched with one simple aim, to make sure NHS leaders and other decision-makers hear the care experiences of people in Coventry and use your feedback to improve support. Healthwatch Coventry also helps people to find reliable and trustworthy information and advice.
Over the last decade, over 17,000 people have shared their stories, good and bad, with Healthwatch Coventry, telling us what's working and what isn't regarding health and social care. With the help of local people, Healthwatch Coventry has been able to help improve health and social care services in Coventry.
The difference people in Coventry have made
The evidence provided by local people's experiences has helped improve NHS and social care services nationally and locally.
- We asked local people what more NHS appointments and services over the internet, through apps and or on the phone would mean for them. Our report published before the COVID-19 pandemic was one of the first to highlight the barriers of poverty, internet access, access to computers, language and IT literacy. Now the issue of digital exclusion and digital inequality is more understood.
- Our visits to social care settings have resulted in many day to day changes in the lives of those living in care homes or in supported living accommodation. Things like changes to decor or maintenance issues being fixed, to more activities and better ways for resident to have a say.
- Patient transport services were improved when we used feedback from people to alert decision makers to significant issues, including delays. As a result more NHS money was put into the service and changes were made ot how it was run. Our follow up work led to further changes, including new smaller vehicles being brought in.
More people urged to get involved
Commenting on the anniversary, Ruth light, Chief Officerof Healthwatch Coventry, said:
"Over the last ten years, we've been able to help improve health and social care services for people in Coventry. But nothing would have changed if local people had not spoken up about their care and services had not listened. So thank you to everyone who has played their part.
"However, we can't stop here. With NHS and social care services facing such big challenges, your feedback is more critical than ever. By sharing your experience, you can help professionals to put themselves in your shoes, to understand your reality and the issues that need tackling to improve care.
"So next time you use a health or care service, take a moment to share your experience. It won't take long and could make a real difference in making care better for you and your community."
The difference Healthwatch has made nationally
Healthwatch Coventry is part of the Healthwatch network in England meaning many changes have also been made nationally. For example, last year the Healthwatch network supported more than two million people to have their say on care and get the right advice.
Here are just three of the ways people helped make a difference in 2021-22:
- Public feedback helped highlight the negative impact poor NHS admin can have and recommended five principles for services to improve people's experiences.
- After Healthwatch and other organisations called for an urgent response to hospital waiting lists, and better interim communication and support, the NHS set out a recovery plan to address the backlog.
- Healthwatch uncovered that only a third of NHS Trusts fully comply with their duty to help patients with sensory impairments and learning disabilities, which has helped lead to a national review of the Accessible Information Standard.
