Annual Report 2023/24

Healthwatch Dudley report on its key achievements for 2023/24.  It:

• Influenced improvements to GP access by gathering feedback from 1,049 residents and carrying out Enter and View visits at six GP practices. All six practices committed to changes, while the findings are helping shape the Black Country Integrated Care Board’s five-year primary care plan and a new accessibility charter for GP services. 
• Helped drive action to address the over-representation of Black and Mixed-race boys in the Youth Justice System. The work led to the creation of a multi-agency steering group, funding for a mentoring scheme, and development of additional mental health support for at-risk young people. 
• Improved support for vulnerably housed residents at Saltbrook Place. Following Healthwatch engagement, residents gained access to budgeting support, a sensory room, a reopened gym, better information, and strengthened community activities. 
• Continued to improve access for Deaf residents through the Dudley Deaf Focus Group, producing information for GP practices and Deaf patients and ensuring feedback from the Deaf community informed recommendations on GP access and communication. 
• Highlighted barriers to accessing domiciliary dental care after a family member struggled to arrange a dental visit for a care home resident with dementia. The issue was escalated to the Black Country ICB, Local Dental Network and NHS 111, prompting discussion of system-wide solutions. 
• Influenced improvements at Russells Hall Hospital by raising concerns about wheelchair availability at the Health Hub, leading to the hospital ordering additional wheelchairs and monitoring future demand.
• Brought together local people and health leaders through the People’s Panel and community engagement programme, helping residents directly influence discussions on urgent care, planned care and wider NHS services while building new partnerships between community organisations and health services.