Minutes:
Lewisham Healthwatch
Nigel Bowness
Chair of
Healthwatch in Lewisham there are 4 Lewisham based trustees that
oversee the work of Healthwatch Lewisham
there are information flyers. Was established by the 2012 Health
and Social care act. Network of 152 local Healthwatchs. Lewisham
Commissions the Healthwatch function in Lewisham. It is an
independent charity.
We are here to engage with Lewisham residents. We want to hear your
views about what your concerns and experiences are on health and
social care - we take your views seriously, we take these back to
commissioners of health and social care services. The other aspect
of the service is the NHS complaints advocacy service, this can be
really challenging for people we are here to provide you with
independent advice and help making complaints. Our priorities are
largely determined by you. Issues about access to service, issues
around mental health and issues for children and young
people.
Access to services especially GP services is a common problem, so
that is even more of a problem if you are part of a community that
doesn’t speak English, or have disabilities, we have spoken
to a number of communities about their experiences, raising
awareness among children around mental health issues, we have been
working with homeless people and food banks around the barriers
accessing services.
We have a variety of hubs or stalls,
usually in GP services, Lewisham market, Peoples Day, a member of
staff or Healthwatch volunteers are
there if you want to share your experiences of health and social
care. Unless we hear from your we can’t make change.
One of the things we also do is worked in partnership with local
partners and commissioners and other Healthwatches. Promote
engagement opportunities, workshops for young people. Call us with
your comments, invite us to your event, if you are a community
group, or resident association we are always happy to come along
with our stall, we have surveys related to health and social care
issues and we have focus groups. If you sign up to the email list,
you can be kept fully informed we also have a range of volunteering
opportunities, we take this very seriously and you can really
benefit from this. We have a dedicated community engagement officer
for Lewisham Marzena. There are other engagement officers as well.
You can contact us via our website on twitter and
Facebook.
Take any questions
Q. I think it’s great work you are doing. The
powers that be you mentioned – who do you work with and
report to? Is it the CCG or is it Public Health? Do you have powers
to ensure that the recommendations in your reports are
implemented?
A. We share widely with the borough providers CCG
all reports are in public domain. We work very closely with all. We
are there as a critical friend, we don’t have regulatory
powers. Our MO is to be that critical friend, challenge
constructively and fairly, you supply us with the evidence that we
can take if forward.
Q. My
Surgery is so unprofessional. I am 78 years old and I am told I
have to get up to the doctors before 8 o’clock to make an
appointment, I don’t understand what they are saying half the
time.
A. Your experience is not unique I comment on
individual GP practices, but I can draw it to the attention of our
officers.