The development of Local Healthwatch in Kent Part one: key findings

Wow! My story makes a difference!
Breakout Groups:
• Co-operative Culture
• Making changes for small groups – ‘how can their stories be heard?’
• How to turn ‘stories’ into a real change for the better
Key themes from the breakout sessions were:
• People understand how the healthcare and social care systems work
and how to access them
• K LHW helps make the systems understandable to others
• Turn stories into something better. There may be things to learn from PALs
about ways to use stories more powerfully
• NHS Choices is very health specific; it could link up with organisations to
make them more accountable. There was a concern that LHW would not
be able to advertise NHS Choices
• Look at the journey and use what is working well, break down barriers
• We need a more co-operative culture; many voices are better than one.
Involving people at a local level can be a route for publicity and information.
A culture where people can ask for information, oppose changes they do
not want, promote effective spending
• Nominated liaison person to work with small groups – increase knowledge
background of groups and ensure small group’s confidence increased by
being heard
• Change the mindset of those involved in budgeting
• K LHW involved at every level of decision making. Information into
commissioning questionnaire - information from the right place to the right place
Kent Local Healthwatch an essential player at the table;
a flourishing organisation with a vital contribution to
health and social care planning
Breakout Groups:
• Kent County Council provides a clear statement of service requirements for
tendering based on the three functions, outcomes and impact.
• Well commissioned, well lead, well supported, well connected, well
informed, well integrated.
• Equality of outcomes and representation or being representative –
representative of user groups or an organisation.
14
The development of Local Healthwatch in Kent: assessing readiness for Local Healthwatch