Survey of statutory and voluntary partners, Croydon

Healthwatch Croydon conducted a survey gathering the views of 18 local stakeholders including commissioners, statutory services, voluntary-sector partners and councillors. This took place between 7 – 28 June 2017.

The research aimed to understand the stakeholders’ experience of Healthwatch Croydon’s role and visibility for influencing.

The majority of respondents had good awareness of Healthwatch Croydon. However, communication with HWC was seen by many respondents as adequate or poor. Generally, agreed that HWC challenges effectively decisions affecting health and social care in the borough. HWA was also seen that it has made a positive impact on the work of the Health and Wellbeing Board, and on the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Sub-Committee. However, many respondents did not know if they had seen any impact. Stakeholders thought of HWC as independent organisation that represented patients’ views, independent of statutory services. Three strengths of HWC were identified in the survey: gathering the views of residents, writing reports based on residents’ views, and disseminating and sharing information with partners. Two areas could be improved: influencing decisions on health and social care, and empowering residents to participate in decision-making.

The report does not make any recommendations. A comprehensive list of reflections on stakeholders’ feedback is provided instead.