Healthwatch at the South West Charity Conference 2023

This report summarises Healthwatch Bath & North East Somerset participation in this year’s South West Charity Conference and Expo to share the work of Healthwatch with delegates from business and the Third sector.

Sue Poole, Development Officer for Healthwatch Bath & North East Somerset and Ann Marie Scott, Volunteer Support Officer were joined for part of the day by Dr Aanchal Rana, a student from the University of Bath, who is undertaking research with Healthwatch into the experiences of refugees in accessing healthcare. The initial conversations that led to Aanchal joining Healthwatch took place between Ann Marie and delegates from the University at last year’s conference, which shows the real benefits that can come from this type of event.

There were no recommendations in this report.

There are follow up actions in this report.

• Healthwatch will follow up new its connections with Jessie May, Children’s Hospice South West and OSCAR to explore how we can help gather feedback and promote their work.

• Healthwatch will follow up existing contacts and expand engagement opportunities to ensure more people’s voices are heard especially those who face the most barriers in accessing the support and care they need.