[H]ealthwatch Cumbria (HWC) has been shortlisted for a national award that celebrates the difference local Healthwatch has made to health and social care in the past year.
Chosen from over 150 entries, HWC has been shortlisted for its work in forming and running the West Cumbria Community Forum in the Engagement in Service Change category.
David Blacklock, Chief Executive Officer for Healthwatch Cumbria said: “What really matters is that local people are asked what’s important to them and what their views are and that they are listened to and taken account of before decisions are made.
“The Forum is a place where representatives of communities can meet with the decision makers involved in service change and discuss proposals in an atmosphere of trust and transparency.”
In 2015/16, 152 local Healthwatch engaged over 380,000 people to find out their views, visited more than 3,500 local services to find out if they are working for people and published over 1,450 reports about what people want and need from health and care.
Jane Mordue, Chair of Healthwatch England, said: “Once again, the Healthwatch network have highlighted the fantastic work that they do. The wide range of submissions, and the strength of those shortlisted, is testament to how the Healthwatch network is using people’s voices to make a difference to health and social care services.
“All of the submissions were of a very high standard, and I’d like to thank all who took part. I look forward to congratulating the winners on the 6th July!”
The Engagement in Service Change award recognises effective engagement with people in their community to improve the redesign of local services. The final winner will be chosen by judges and announced on 6th July.
