A new report produced by Healthwatch Cornwall shows the extraordinary value the organisation provides to Cornwall and its residents, according to Cornwall Council’s new Cabinet member for Adult Social Care and Health, Cllr Jim McKenna.
The report which was published this month talks through the key achievements of Healthwatch throughout the year, which includes the launch of a Mental Health Partnership Board, a forum that brings together people with lived experience and decision-makers to co-design better services.
Cllr McKenna said:
“Healthwatch Cornwall provide an invaluable service to support residents navigating through our health and social care system, as well as providing independent scrutiny of health and social care services. The council is responsible for commissioning the service, spending around £500k a year, which reflects the critical role that they play.
“The wide range of services they provide include several ways for people to get support, share their views and help services to improve. It is vital that we hear people’s voices, especially those who are often the least likely to be heard, for example, those who are disabled or have dementia. Overall they provide extraordinary value for Cornwall and its residents.”
The report highlights a number of key achievements for the organisation including the set-up of ‘Listening Hubs’ in some of the more rural areas of Cornwall to make sure as many people as possible have their voices heard and represented.
They have produced numerous reports based on extensive feedback which are directly being fed into service improvements including:
- Dentistry
- Cost of living
- Mental health
The newly established mental health board sits alongside other four existing Boards; Carers, Autism, Learning Disability and Ageing Well that are also facilitated by the council.
Debbie Gilbert, CEO of from Healthwatch Cornwall said:
“Healthwatch Cornwall is the independent champion for residents, ensuring their voices shape health and social care. We actively engage with communities, gathering feedback to identify areas for improvement and drive meaningful change.
“This has enabled us to fulfil our core purpose, to speak up on behalf of sometimes unpopular causes or marginalised groups who face disadvantage or discrimination. We design and deliver activities that best meet the people’s needs taking supporting them to communicate and developing digital literacy.”
Another key part of Healthwatch’s remit includes ‘Enter and View’ which allows Healthwatch representatives to visit health and care services sites to observe care and gather feedback from patients and staff, helping to inform improvements.
Cllr McKenna added:
“Our local Healthwatch has a track record of face-to-face engagement, community outreach, and building trusted local relationships which are irreplaceable for reaching our communities. Healthwatch is not just a feedback mechanism, it is a vital part of the democratic fabric of health and care in Cornwall.”
This year, they made 28 ‘Enter and View’ visits across primary, secondary and social care sites in Cornwall, including GP surgeries, hospital wards and nursing homes.
This has resulted in making over 95 recommendations to date, with further recommendations due to be published in upcoming reports.
You can learn more about how Healthwatch Cornwall is shaping services in your area by reading the report.