Agenda item

Healthwatch Update

Report of the Chair of Healthwatch Sheffield

 

Minutes:

6.1

Judy Robinson and Lucy Davies presented the report which provided an update on the work of Healthwatch. Since the outbreak of COVID 19, Healthwatch had produced reports drawn from its inquiry service, feedback from individuals and from partner organisations. It had been a challenge to obtain information from some services.

 

6.2

There were both positive and negative stories regarding support packages during the pandemic and there was a need to take stock and ensure that all needs were being met.

 

6.3

There were different experiences of care homes, it was not always possible to access residents, but there were positive steps being taken to establish virtual inspections.

 

6.4

The Healthwatch survey report was due at the end of July.  There was a need to ensure that engagement was at the centre of reorganising services.  It was hoped to make service users feel empowered and add their experiences to shape services in the future and ensure that all voices were brought together.  Diversity and representation in decision making were key.

 

6.5

Communication to disadvantaged communities was to be made using volunteers and there was a need to think about the messages and how they were delivered.

 

6.6

It was hoped to develop virtual inspections and feed in to Council processes, it was hoped to include virtual contact with the residents.  The challenge was to engage with residents as this was usually done face to face.

 

6.7

Jackie Drayton stated that the comments highlighted the inequality of the impact of Covid-19 and the importance of clear communication and asked if there had been and comments from children or young people.  Lucy Davies noted that there had not been much input from children or young people.

 

6.8

RESOLVED: That the report from Healthwatch Sheffield on the impacts of Covid-19 be noted.

 

 

Supporting documents: