Most patients registered with the Haddenham Medical Centre will know that a Patient Participation Group meets approximately every two months to hear about developments and changes in the local GP services and to offer feedback to the GPs and their professional and administrative colleagues about their experiences as patients. If you would like to know more about the PPG, please contact the chairman either by telephone: 290244 or by email: chairman@theppg.org
For issues affecting patients on a wider scale, both geographically and across the various levels and types of health and social care in England, there is a 'consumer' organisation known as Healthwatch. More details about this 'consumer champion' are offered below (see Background).
A representative of Healthwatch Bucks will be present in Haddenham Community Library on Tuesday 24th March, from 10.00am until 12 noon to collect local residents' views on health and social care. This is a consultation process analogous to that offered by our local PCSOs in relation to crime and policing.
Healthwatch Bucks is inviting residents of Haddenham and nearby villages to offer their experiences and views in relation to health and social care services, whether this has been within Bucks or outside (such as at Watford, John Radcliffe, Wexham Park or Mount Vernon hospitals, to name a few).
Views are then reported anonymously in trends, as Healthwatch tries to identify what needs to change or to highlight good behaviours that can be replicated elsewhere.
If anyone wishes to provide feedback to Healthwatch via their website rather than in person, please click here
Background
Local Healthwatch Organisations (of which there are now 148) were established to become consumer champions for health and social care services in a local authority area. They follow on from the previous LINK organisations.
Healthwatch England is the national body which lobbies for change on behalf of consumers. They draw together people's experiences of health and care and evidence from local Healthwatch to establish a national picture of what works and what doesn't, regardless of where in England, who pays the bill or what part of the health and care system is involved. The Health and Social Care Act formalises the relationship between Healthwatch England, the Secretary of State, NHS England, Care Quality Commission, Monitor and English local authorities. So they have a unique power to advise this wide range of organisations. They have the power not only to report on the key issues that affect people who use services, but to expect that those in control respond to them. They don't have to agree, but they have to publicly tell Healthwatch England what they are going to do to respond to their advice.
Healthwatch Bucks
Healthwatch Bucks was launched on 1 April 2013 and is based in Monks Risborough. Its mission is to ensure that the collective voice of Buckinghamshire residents accessing health and care services are heard, considered and acted upon to improve the quality of health and care services.
The Healthwatch Bucks website
