Healthwatch Isle of Wight, an independent watchdog for local health and care services, recently launched its annual prioritisation survey and the deadline of 31st May to make sure your voice counts is fast approaching.
The survey consists of a list of the top 20 most common health or care themes that have been reported to Healthwatch Isle of Wight over the past 12 months, such as Ambulance Services, Dentistry, Residential Homes, and asks that people choose their top 5 areas they feel are currently not working as well as they should be and need service improvements. The areas that receive the highest number of votes will become the next areas that Healthwatch Isle of Wight will begin to focus on.
There are many changes and challenges within the health and care sector at the moment and Healthwatch play an important role in ensuring the public are not adversely affected. In order to make sure the organisation are as effective as possible it is vital that people continue to share their experiences and contribute to surveys as it is this information that is used to demonstrate the impact upon service users to commissioners and service providers.
Joanna Smith, Healthwatch Isle of Wight Manager said:
“This survey will ensure that the voices of the Isle of Wight people are heard. With changes being discussed within the delivery of health and care services on the Island I would urge all Islanders to complete this survey as it is vital to giving them a say in how the services they access and depend on are run”.
So far the survey response rate is higher than last year.
Healthwatch will be manning a stall at Riverfest this Saturday so Islanders can pop along and say hello, see what the organisation is all about, the work it has done to date and complete a survey whilst there. For those who complete the survey there will be the chance to win some Love to Shop vouchers in a prize draw.
Hard copy surveys are available from the Citizens Advice Bureau located at the Isle Help Advice Hub in Newport High Street. The survey can also be accessed online by visiting www.healthwatchisleofwight.co.uk.
Anyone who wishes to share their experiences (good or bad) of local health and/or care services with us can do so by ringing 01983 608608 or by emailing [email protected].
