Help shape Shropshire Healthwatch

Shropshire Council Newsroom reports an invitation to people across Shropshire to help shape a new organisation that will make their views heard on health and social care services.

Ideas and thoughts are sought on how Shropshire Healthwatch should work best for the people of Shropshire.
Shropshire Council is responsible for ensuring that a local Healthwatch organisation is set up to become the county’s independent champion for health and social care. This came about as part of the recent Health and Social Care Act 2012 which also sets out the transfer of public health work currently undertaken by Shropshire County Primary Care Trust (PCT) to Shropshire Council in April 2013.

The full report can be found here. Residents are encouraged to share their views on Shropshire Healthwatch by filling in an online survey on the Council’s website here.
The deadline for filling in the survey is Friday 15 June 2012, and it is available in other formats.
Councillor Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health and well-being, said:

“We are embracing our new roles as outlined in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, to improve the health and well-being of Shropshire’s residents and reduce inequalities in health.
“Healthwatch will help ensure that services are more responsive to what matters to people, and are designed around their needs. Exactly what Healthwatch looks like and how it achieves these aims depends on what people tell us, so we are urging people to take this opportunity to share their views.”

Councillor Steve Charmley, Cabinet member responsible for active and healthy lifestyles, added:

“There is freedom and flexibility about what form Shropshire Healthwatch will take based on the needs and wishes of our communities.
“Please get in touch and tell us your ideas on how Healthwatch can support people to speak out and give those who want to get more involved in shaping health and social care, the opportunity to do so.”