Annual Report 2023/24

Healthwatch Salford report on its key achievements for 2023/24.  It:

• Published its Living Well Salford report based on feedback from over 100 service users, leading to six improvements including better appointment communications, improved referral processes, additional staff training, and the development of an onward journey tool for people leaving the service.
• Improved support for d/Deaf residents through the Silent Voices project, leading to a new text/WhatsApp service for BSL users, an expanded interpreter contact list, improved hospital signage and staff training on the needs of d/Deaf patients. 
• Followed up its Home Care report and found that the proportion of 15-minute home care visits had reduced by almost 50%, replaced by more 20- and 30-minute visits. The work also contributed to improvements in quality assurance, provider forums and service-user involvement. 
• Established the Salford Men’s Mental Health Commission, bringing together volunteers and local men to explore mental health needs and identify priorities for improving support across the city.
• Published the Salford Adolescent Minds project, making nine recommendations to improve CAMHS and neurodevelopment pathways, including better communication, signposting, support for families and staff training. 
• Completed follow-up work on seven care home Enter and View visits, making 26 recommendations and securing improvements including restored garden spaces, new activity programmes and stronger feedback mechanisms for residents and families.
• Increased engagement with seldom-heard communities by building relationships with 45 new groups and organisations, including asylum seeker, refugee, LGBTQ+, disability and ethnic minority groups, helping ensure their experiences informed health and care services.