The development of Local Healthwatch in Kent Part one: key findings
The development of Local Healthwatch in Kent Part one: key findings
The development of Local Healthwatch in Kent Part one: key findings
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learn<strong>in</strong>g from LINks and seek to overcome some the barriers to successful<br />
public engagement <strong>in</strong> new ways. Key themes <strong>in</strong>cluded:<br />
• <strong>The</strong> limits to which LINks has been able to be representative <strong>of</strong> different<br />
groups <strong>in</strong> <strong>Kent</strong> and to <strong>in</strong>volve them directly <strong>in</strong> it’s work<br />
• Limits to the general awareness <strong>of</strong> the role <strong>of</strong> LINks across <strong>Kent</strong><br />
• <strong>The</strong> need to strengthen relationships with commissi<strong>one</strong>rs<br />
• <strong>The</strong> perception <strong>of</strong> a greater focus by LINks on health rather than social care<br />
• <strong>The</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> provid<strong>in</strong>g feedback on LINks activities and their impact<br />
• Ways to prioritise work <strong>in</strong> a transparent way<br />
• Internal decision mak<strong>in</strong>g processes<br />
Most participants <strong>in</strong> the statement <strong>of</strong> read<strong>in</strong>ess assessment felt that whilst K<br />
LHW will build on the LINks experience it will be a different organisation with a<br />
broader range <strong>of</strong> functions and as a consequence will draw on a wider set <strong>of</strong><br />
tools and methods.<br />
<strong>Healthwatch</strong> as a consumer champion<br />
<strong>The</strong> shift to the consumer model was welcomed by the majority <strong>of</strong><br />
participants as it complimented the commission<strong>in</strong>g perspective <strong>in</strong> health<br />
and social care. <strong>The</strong>re was a recognition that commissi<strong>one</strong>rs were spend<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the m<strong>one</strong>y <strong>of</strong> local <strong>Kent</strong> people and that the public should be empowered<br />
to be more aware <strong>of</strong> how this was tak<strong>in</strong>g place. <strong>The</strong>re was also a universal<br />
view that an <strong>in</strong>formed consumer voice was <strong>in</strong> the best <strong>in</strong>terests <strong>of</strong> effective<br />
commission<strong>in</strong>g and that it could enhance the commission<strong>in</strong>g process with<br />
<strong>in</strong>telligence from those receiv<strong>in</strong>g services from providers.<br />
To be an effective consumer champion K LHW will need to:<br />
• Identify and build relationships with consumers<br />
• Recognise the diverse and different needs <strong>of</strong> people <strong>in</strong> <strong>Kent</strong><br />
• Provide mechanisms for them to share their views and experiences<br />
• Provide them with clear and relevant <strong>in</strong>formation<br />
• Coord<strong>in</strong>ate <strong>in</strong>dividual consumers to enable them to act as a group and<br />
have a collective <strong>in</strong>fluence<br />
• Present their views and collective experiences <strong>in</strong> an effective way<br />
• Be present and observe practice and performance <strong>in</strong> provider organisations<br />
• Be representative <strong>in</strong> terms <strong>of</strong> the staff and volunteers <strong>in</strong>volved directly <strong>in</strong> the<br />
work <strong>of</strong> <strong>Healthwatch</strong><br />
20<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>development</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Healthwatch</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Kent</strong>: assess<strong>in</strong>g read<strong>in</strong>ess for <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Healthwatch</strong>