We take your views to Parliament
It was an opportunity to raise the real-life concerns of people using health and social care services with MPs.
Attended by parliamentarians, including Ashford MP Damian Green, as well as key decision makers from across the health and social care, the event provided an opportunity for us to speak with key decision makers about the work we have been doing to shape local services on behalf of Kent residents, including:
- Listening to over 190 people about their experience of being discharged from hospital in East Kent and making recommendations to improve their experiences
- Improving the support available for people with learning difficulties when they attend appointments at William Harvey Hospital
- Ensuring the voice of Kent residents is heard when important decisions are being made such as the changes to stroke services
- Working with mental health patients and carers to ensure their voice is heard by the right people at the right time
Healthwatch Kent plays a vital role as the champion of patients in Kent, giving people the chance to air their views about the NHS services and care we receive.
With local health and social care services going through rapid change, with the launch of the NHS Long Term Plan, it has never been more important for services to involve the people they serve in shaping the future of health and social care.
Damian Green, MP for Ashford said
"Healthwatch Kent plays a vital role as the champion of patients in Kent, giving people the chance to air their views about the NHS services and care we receive. I regularly speak with Healthwatch Kent, but it was good to meet them in Westminster to discuss the work they are doing to influence the future of health services in Ashford and East Kent."
The good news is that Healthwatch is getting more people to come forward to share their views on the issues in their areas. When acted upon by commissioners, care providers and clinicians, people’s experiences and ideas are leading to safer, better quality care. In this way people are where they should be – at the centre of their service.
Our very own, Steve Inett said
“It was a great opportunity to attend Parliament and highlight our hard work to parliamentarians and decision makers like Damian Green. The efforts of our dedicated team of staff and volunteers at helping to influence the way health and social care services are delivered in Kent were praised by all we met, particularly by Healthwatch England.”
Held in the Houses of Parliament, the reception was hosted by national body Healthwatch England to mark the launch of its sixth annual report.
To read more about what Healthwatch England and the rest of the network have achieved over the last year see their annual report https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/ .
