Agenda item

Presentation by the Chief Executive Officer, Healthwatch Darlington

The Chief Executive Officer of Healthwatch Darlington delivered a presentation on Healthwatch Darlington’s Annual report providing an overview of the manpower, functions, and current projects of Healthwatch Darlington.

Points of note in the presentation included Healthwatch’s continued statutory requirement to signpost individuals to required services and that the current staffing levels of Healthwatch Darlington stand at five staff including one full-time staff member and Youthwatch currently being refreshed.

Members were provided with a clarification of Healthwatch’s involvement in patient experiences in which anonymous feedback is taken to form responses to NHS colleagues in order to provide a voice for all involved with volunteers visiting communities and collating experiences of individuals where necessary.

Members were updated on current projects being undertaken by Healthwatch including carrying out extra work regarding Winter Pressures and the issuing of small grants to promote the risks of diabetes and reporting to the ICB at the end of November 2023 on the experiences of those ageing with learning disabilities.

Members raised questions with regards to members sharing Healthwatch information on social media which will be provided when available.

Discussion was held with regards to social prescribing; with Healthwatch colleagues highlighting their role being that of signposting rather than providing support.  A possible future item or session with a focus on social prescribing was proposed with NHS colleagues willing to be point of contact on this.

RESOLVED – That the annual report and presentation be noted.