Annual Report 2019/20

Healthwatch Barnsley report on its key achievements for 2019/20. It:

• Led local engagement on the NHS Long Term Plan, gathering views from 257 residents through surveys, focus groups and community events. The findings were shared with key stakeholders and used to influence the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Integrated Care Partnership five-year plan.
• Received national recognition through a Healthwatch Network Award for its work engaging communities, including seldom-heard groups, on the NHS Long Term Plan.
• Conducted a major project with young carers, working with the Young Carers Council and schools to understand how caring responsibilities affect young people's health and access to services, producing recommendations based on young carers' experiences. 
• Supported people with learning disabilities and their carers through engagement linked to the CQC's #DeclareYourCare campaign, identifying gaps in awareness of patient passports, specialist learning disability support and complaints processes, and sharing information directly with participants. 
• Influenced local mental health policy through involvement in Barnsley's adult mental health scrutiny reviews, Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat and Suicide Prevention Partnership, including work to improve crisis response arrangements and promote a borough-wide Mental Health Alliance. 
• Helped 364 people access information, advice and support, while highlighting recurring issues around GP appointments, CAMHS waiting times, hospital discharge and access to social care, ensuring these concerns were shared with commissioners and providers. 
• Engaged with 2,623 people, published five reports and made 11 recommendations for service improvement based on residents' experiences of health and social care services.