Annual report 2019-2020

This is Healthwatch Oxfordshire’s annual report for 2019-20. During this year, they focused on people’s experiences of mental health services, worked with patient groups to identify improvements to services, ensured people can have a say on Government plans to reform social care, ensured they give a voice to the voluntary sector, continued to reach out to those communities that are seldom heard and raised public awareness of what they do and their impact.

They employed 6 members of staff and had the support from 9 volunteers; provided support to 4,435 people who shared their experiences of health and social care; reached out to people via community or voluntary groups and sent fortnightly news briefings 1,099 supporters, partners and stakeholders; and published 34 reports, based on their research and engagement.

The report highlights how they’ve made an impact on different communities including boaters along the Oxford canal; on oral health checks for care home residents along with improved access to dentists; on improving building and facilities in Vaughn Thomas Ward, Warneford Hospital in Headington; on improving visibility of people’s feedback and the resulting changes at the Witney Adult Mental Health Service; and on provision of better night-time care at care homes.

The report contains a message from Healthwatch Oxfordshire Executive Director which highlights how they would continue to support the people following the Coronavirus pandemic.