Annual Report 2018/19

Healthwatch Dudley report on its key achievements for 2018/19.  It:

• Led a major project on self-care and wellbeing, engaging more than 200 residents and producing a report that directly informed Dudley’s Self Care Strategy. The approach attracted wider interest and was considered for use across the Black Country. 
• Influenced services for children and families by investigating the healthcare journeys of infants and young children at Russells Hall Hospital. The resulting recommendations were endorsed by Dudley CCG and fed into work on paediatric services and Emergency Department redevelopment plans. 
• Improved awareness and accessibility for deaf residents through its Deaf Focus Group, deaf awareness campaign and communication cards. The work received national recognition through a Signature Deaf Award and was showcased at Healthwatch England’s national conference. 
• Supported development of a new safeguarding reporting system by involving local people in redesigning safeguarding referral processes, leading to revised forms being tested for future implementation.
• Contributed to borough-wide work on child neglect, engaging more than 600 residents, professionals, volunteers and community groups. Findings influenced the development of a new neglect strategy for Dudley. 
• Expanded and strengthened the Young Health Champions programme, involving more than 150 young people in projects on mental health, suicide prevention, period poverty and peer support, while helping develop the Reach Out Dudley suicide prevention website. 
• Trained 107 new Community Information Champions and over 100 GP practice staff, strengthening local capacity to help residents access health, wellbeing and community support services. ]