Cornwall has been chosen as a HealthWatch Pathfinder
Cornwall is chosen as one of new HealthWatch pathfinders
Source: eGov monitor – A Policy Dialogue Platform Published Friday, 5 August, 2011 – 14:21
Under the Government’s health reforms local authorities will take on the responsibility for commissioning a local HealthWatch from October 2012. Local HealthWatch will replace LINKs (Local Involvement Networks) but will have greater powers to strengthen the patient and public voice in health and social care services. At a national level, HealthWatch England will be established as the independent patient champion within the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Earlier this year all local authorities were invited to apply to become pathfinders to test how a local HealthWatch might work in practice and support Government thinking on how they might operate. Cornwall was one of 157 councils from across the country to submit a bid. Of these 75 have now been chosen as Pathfinders, with Cornwall one of eight authorities selected from the South West.
Welcoming the announcement that Cornwall has been chosen as a HealthWatch Pathfinder, Carolyn Rule, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and Human Resources, said “HealthWatch is aimed at giving patients and carers a stronger voice in monitoring the quality of health and social care services at both a local and a national level. Being a pathfinder means that we can explore a more co-ordinated and efficient approach to engagement and consultation by building on existing infrastructure in both the voluntary and public sector.
“Pathfinder status means that we will now be part of a new national network which will be sharing information and learning together on how best to implement HealthWatch locally.“
Under the bid the Council will work with Cornwall’s LINK to look at how the functions of HealthWatch (influencing, signposting and advisory) are currently provided from the patient’s point of view and test how the various advice and support networks operate alongside health and social care providers. The pathfinder will focus on the East Cornwall Health and Social Care hub pilot.
“LINK in Cornwall is looking forward to working with the health and social care hub pilots” said a LINK spokesman. “This is a great opportunity to promote the importance of patient views being considered in the integration of services. “
Local HealthWatch will be a statutory member of Cornwall’s Health and Wellbeing Board and will have a key role in ensuring the voice of patients and local communities are at the heart of health and social care service delivery.
