Annual Report 2017/18

Healthwatch Barnsley report on its key achievements for 2017/18.  It:

• Influenced local oral health planning through a project with primary school pupils on dental health and experiences of dental services. Recommendations from the report were incorporated into the Oral Health Action Plan and the Barnsley Oral Health Needs Assessment.
• Carried out a major review of missed GP appointments (DNAs), speaking to 350 patients and four GP practices in the Dearne. The research identified barriers to accessing appointments and produced recommendations to address the issue. 
• Engaged with 280 young people on sexual health services and awareness of the C-Card scheme, producing recommendations for commissioners and providers to improve young people's knowledge and access to support. 
• Helped local and regional planners understand public views on the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Sustainability and Transformation Partnership, including gathering feedback from young people and community groups to inform future service planning. 
• Gathered the views of 180 young people about Barnsley Hospital and 164 young people about GP services, creating local intelligence that was used to identify trends and inform future Healthwatch work. 
• Facilitated workshops and produced the report from Barnsley's Health and Equality Conference, helping health providers, commissioners and community groups identify future priorities for improving health access and outcomes. 
• Engaged with 2,718 residents, attended 84 community events and groups, received 308 reviews through its Feedback Centre, and used this intelligence to influence commissioners and providers across Barnsley.