Annual Report 2015/16

Healthwatch Brighton and Hove report on its key achievements for 2015/16. It:

• Influenced major improvements at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, including changes to A&E services, modernisation of the Urgent Care Centre, and a £2 million redevelopment of the Eye Hospital following Healthwatch reviews and recommendations. 
• Conducted a large programme of Enter and View visits to GP surgeries, hospitals and care homes, making 142 recommendations, of which 121 were accepted and implemented by providers.
• Improved GP services through a city-wide review of 15 GP practices and feedback from more than 500 patients, leading to changes in areas such as communication, health checks, appointment systems and patient information. 
• Secured improvements in care homes through reviews of primary care and oral health provision, resulting in changes to resident health monitoring, staff awareness and access to services. 
• Helped establish the UK's first dedicated advocacy post for the local transgender community, working with partners to improve support and access to health and social care services. 
• Influenced service development across the city through involvement in major issues including GP practice closures, ambulance services, hospital discharge arrangements, mental health services, cancer services and safeguarding in general practice. 
• Strengthened the voice of young people through work with schools, colleges and community organisations, helping shape improvements to wellbeing, mental health and sexual health services.