|
4.1
|
A verbal update was given by Judy Robinson of
Healthwatch, who advised that:
- Healthwatch were keen to draw
attention to the contradiction of the NHS pushing patients towards
digital systems, e.g. for ordering prescriptions, whilst at the
same time wishing to address health inequalities. GPs could not reasonably expect all patients to be
able to use digital systems.
- Healthwatch were involved in a
collaboration with Voluntary Action Sheffield regarding Long Covid,
focussing on people who have contracted Long Covid but have not
accessed the specialist services available. This had involved interviews and focus
groups. A film had been produced to be
shown in GP surgeries and a training course developed for community
workers.
- “Speak Up Reports”-
Healthwatch gave small grants to community groups to improve
health, one example was “CABS” (Champions in Achieving
Better health in Sheffield) a project with taxi drivers, mainly of
South Asian heritage, to improve information about nutrition and
promote social prescribing, another was “Spece to
Breathe” a GP Access report on access to Mental Health
Services.
- It was the 10-year anniversary of
Healthwatch.
|
|
4.2
|
Board Members noted the update and discussed
the role of Healthwatch in providing a feedback loop to improve
services, and whether the Board is playing the right role, and if
the right systems are in place to make the most of this. They also
offered their congratulations on the 10-year anniversary of
Healthwatch and thanked the organisation for its ongoing work.
|