Healthwatch Enfield 2020 Annual Conference

The 2020 Healthwatch Enfield Annual Conference focused on the impact for residents of Primary Care Networks and Social Prescribing, two recent changes to service provision for Health and Social Care. It was held just before the COVID-19 lockdown came into force and 150 people attended.

The participants highlighted that services need to involve and engage with communities in developing new services. It was highlighted that clear information needs to be accessible to all communities and that changes should not disproportionately affect BAME and vulnerable patients. Resources should be shared across the system, particularly with voluntary sectors. Finally, digital information should be shared across the system to support continuity of care. 

The recommendations in this report included that the involvement of communities in shaping the design of services will help to ensure services are accessible and reduce inequalities; Clear, jargon free, easily ‘accessible for all’, information about services should be made available in various formats such as Easy Read, and key languages; Health and social care services, as well as the voluntary and community sector should work together to promote this information as widely as possible in the borough; and Primary Care Networks should further increase their community engagement, actively involving members of the community and acting on the feedback that is gathered.