Meeting documents

To be presented by Ms J Baker, OBE, Chair, Healthwatch Bucks.

Ms J Baker, OBE, Chair, Healthwatch Bucks, provided a presentation, appended to the minutes.  Ms Baker highlighted the following points:

• The purpose of the presentation was to deliver an annual update on the work of Healthwatch Bucks.  The annual report 2017/18 was published in June 2018, therefore this presentation would focus on the work carried out in the first three quarters of the year and the priorities for 2019/20.
• The presentation showcased Healthwatch Bucks; a highly effective organisation and a small independent partner representing the residents of Buckinghamshire.
• Healthwatch England was launched in April 2013 and there were 148 local Healthwatch organisations.
• Healthwatch Bucks worked closely with a number of Healthwatch across the Thames Valley to collect and share residents’ feedback and had links with Healthwatch Milton Keynes, a separately funded Healthwatch.
• Healthwatch Bucks had been running for five years and had core and reducing funding of £170,000 from the county council and secured other funding to supplement this  which had reduced over the years.
• The Healthwatch Bucks contract had recently been extended until the end of March 2020.
• There were seven mainly part-time staff and over 30 volunteers.
• Slide three showed the statistics of the work carried out so far during 2018/19.
• All the reports were available on the website.
• The ‘Street View’ project collected the views of 550 Buckinghamshire residents.
• The ‘Dignity and Harm’ report had been published.
• The ‘Crystal Clear’ readability report continued to make waves and promises to implement the recommendations had been made by Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC) and the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). 
• The ‘BHT On The Spot Visits’ project listened to patient experiences and was completed by Healthwatch Bucks visiting the outpatients clinics at High Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville hospitals.
• The ‘Better Births Maternity’ project aimed to gather what was important to women during pregnancy and after birth.
• Dignity in Care was a flagship project funded by BCC; the contract required visiting 24 care homes per annum – these had all been completed.
• 74 people had been signposted; some calls could take several hours to resolve.
• Healthwatch Bucks had been invited to join the Integrated Care System (ICS) Implementation Board.
• Healthwatch Bucks had agreed the following priorities for 2019-20:

·      Mental Health and Wellbeing

·      Adult Social Care

·      Primary and Community Care (care closer to home)

• Ms Baker asked to be informed of any other projects that Healthwatch Bucks could work on collaboratively.
• Ms Baker encouraged board members to sign up for the monthly newsletter.
• The annual report 2018-19 would be launched on 23 July 2019 and members of the Health and Wellbeing Board would be invited.

The following points were noted in discussion and in answer to member’s questions:

• Board members commended the work of Healthwatch and provided their support for collaborative working in the future. Mr D Williams, Director of Strategy and Business Development, Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust (BHT) praised the way Healthwatch actively listened to their patients and brought issues and recommendations for solution back to the Trust and also the excellent clarity of communication provided by Health watch through social media and presentations. 
• Several members of the board expressed their support and agreement with the priority areas for 2019-20.
• A member of the board asked how children’s voices could be heard; the Chairman suggested that the ‘We Do Care Council’ could become involved.
• A member of the board commented that primary care and community care was a huge area and feedback had been focussed on adults.  It was noted that it would be useful to capture feedback from children and young people and families.  Ms Baker agreed, but stated that funding would be required to carry out any new projects and asked if anyone had ideas for obtaining funding to let her know.  The Chairman added that it may be an opportunity for Youth Voice and the Youth Councils to become involved.

RESOLVED:  The Board NOTED the update and AGREED to reflect on how their organisations worked with Healthwatch Bucks; how they separately and together could support Healthwatch Bucks contribute as an effective organisation within our health and social care system; and ensure that our residents’ voice was represented in decisions made about their health and social care.