Annual Report 2018/19

Healthwatch Kingston-upon-Thames report on its key achievements for 2018/19.  It:

• Influenced improvements to adult community mental health services at Tolworth Hospital through an Enter and View review. Healthwatch made eight recommendations, leading to actions including a project to improve telephone access and commitments to address confidentiality and privacy in reception areas. 
• Supported the introduction of an interim specialist service for people with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) after escalating concerns about gaps in local provision to the Health Overview Panel and local commissioners. A business case was approved and the new service was scheduled for implementation in 2019.
• Established Youth Out Loud!, bringing together young people from Kingston and Richmond to review health and care services. The group completed a review of services at Kingston Hospital using the NHS 15 Steps Challenge and identified improvements for patients and staff.
• Secured funding to make Kingston a Time to Change borough and took on the role of coordinating the local Time to Change Hub, helping tackle mental health stigma and discrimination through community-led activity. 
• Created and embedded the Kingston Safeguarding Community Reference Group, enabling people with direct experience of safeguarding processes to share their experiences. The group identified recurring issues around communication and safeguarding procedures, providing evidence to help improve policy and practice. 
• Contributed to the development of local and South West London health and care plans, including engagement on the NHS Long Term Plan and end-of-life care, ensuring local residents' experiences informed future service planning. 
• Expanded engagement with local people, hearing from more than 550 residents, engaging over 1,900 people through events and outreach, and supporting 300 people with information and advice.