The team at Healthwatch Kent have been shortlisted for a national award for their work helping to improve care for local people.

News - 2 February 2024

The National Healthwatch Impact Award recognises outstanding examples of where the views of local people have been used to make positive changes to local NHS and social care services.

The team at Healthwatch Kent have been shortlisted for their work related to the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) 

Thanks to our work there have been a total of 25 actions that a number of Trusts have implemented.

In Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust 

  •  Hearing loop audit and installation of new hearing loops and equipment. 
  • New Easy Read Patient Information Leaflet with input from people who have a learning disability and/or sensory impairment.        
  • 28 staff champions were identified to raise the profile and understanding of AIS in their work areas. 
  • Reception staff have received sight training. 

We also influenced the East Kent Hospitals to implement

the video interpreting service (VIS) and the card that promotes its existence.  

Here are some comments from patients:

“It’s reassuring to know that the Trust has a video BSL interpreting service available”. 

“The VIS gives me independence and confidence”. 

“The deaf forum has been given a voice. This has made us feel more confident asking for help.” 

 

Commenting on the news that they have made the shortlist, Robbie Goatham, manager of Healthwatch Kent said:

So, finding out that our work has been shortlisted for a national award is a real pat on the back. However, we can’t do anything without local people coming forward to share your views, so this is not just great news for us but also for everyone in Kent. We must make special thanks to those individuals with Lived experience who helped test what was in place and the voluntary sector organisations that made that possible

Robbie Goatham

Eighteen projects from across England are in the running for the National Healthwatch Impact Award. 

The annual award highlights outstanding examples of where the views and experiences of local people has been used by their local Healthwatch to make care better. The finalist will be announced in March 2024.

Commenting on the news, Louise Ansari, Chief Executive of Healthwatch England, said: 

Over a million people a year either seek advice from Healthwatch or share their care experience. And, every year, there are thousands of examples of where this feedback has been used by services to make positive changes to health and care. 

Getting shortlisted for our national impact award is no mean feat. It means that your work has made a real difference for local communities, often amid ongoing challenges facing health and care services

Louise Ansari, Chief Executive of Healthwatch England

Keep your eyes open, as soon as we know the news, we will be sharing this with you. In the  mean time you can read more about AIS work here and here