Healthwatch Shropshire: Together we’re making health and social care better

The Annual report sets out how we have listened to people and worked with partners through the year to make a difference.

2023 marks a significant anniversary for Healthwatch, it is 10 years since the network was set up across England. At the beginning of 2023 Healthwatch Shropshire was awarded the contract to continue to act as the health and social care champion in the county for another 3-5 years.

They have just published their annual report detailing how they have championed the voices of the thousands of Shropshire patients and service users they have heard from over the last year. Including

• Raising the struggles people face when seeking urgent help and calling for an ambulance
• Bringing experiences of Psychological Therapies to life to help the NHS improve services
• Highlighting the communication needs of people with disabilities and cognitive impairment

Vanessa Barratt, Chair of Healthwatch Shropshire, said, “It is really important that we hear from all communities is Shropshire. Over the past year we have worked hard to make sure we hear from everyone within our local area including the  people we hear from less frequently, to gather their feedback and make sure their voice is heard and services meet their needs.”

Sir Neil McKay, Chair of Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board, said, “ Healthwatch plays a vital role in connecting the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board with the communities we serve. Healthwatch Shropshire’s excellent Annual Report describes the breadth of work they do to examine health service  issues which  concern people. The Report is a credit to them. We greatly appreciate their work and look forward to continuing our strong relationship with them.”

View the full report

Healthwatch Shropshire is the independent health and social care champion in Shropshire. It gathers the views and experiences of patients, service users, carers, and the general public about services including hospitals, GPs, mental health services, community health services, pharmacists, opticians, residential care and children’s services.  It also has statutory powers that it can use to influence service provision by encouraging improvements.