Annual Report 2017/18

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

• Influenced the redesign of community stroke support services after gathering feedback from 155 stroke survivors and carers. Commissioners extended the existing service and commissioned a new service from the Stroke Association that incorporated Healthwatch recommendations on support pathways, care planning and information provision. 
• Conducted a major review of cancer screening programmes, engaging over 2,000 people and identifying barriers to breast, bowel and cervical screening. The findings led to Public Health securing funding for two cancer awareness posts and were adopted by cancer nursing teams to improve patient information and support.
• Improved access to annual health checks for people with learning disabilities by gathering feedback from 100 people and making recommendations that led to the development of an easy-read invitation letter and a pilot scheme offering health checks in community settings. 
• Influenced local pharmacy services through research involving 397 residents. Recommendations led to actions to improve awareness of pharmacy services, encourage private consultation facilities and increase engagement with younger people. 
• Delivered an Enter and View programme in GP surgeries and pharmacies, identifying and sharing good practice while helping services improve their accessibility and patient experience.
• Improved access to health and care information by supporting 234 people through its information and signposting service and securing changes to NHS England's approach to communicating dental practice closures and alternative service provision.
• Influenced the development of the Great North Care Record by hosting public engagement events involving around 340 participants, ensuring local people's views on information sharing and consent informed the programme.
• Secured recognition for the quality of its volunteer programme by achieving the County Durham Volunteer Kite Mark and using volunteers to drive improvements including better care home information and website standards.