In our latest blog, Healthwatch Dorset’s manager Louise Bate considers the feedback the organisation gathers from local people and the benefits of joined up health and social care records
Healthwatch Dorset offers an independent way for local people to ask questions about health and social care services and give their feedback. We’re a small team – 4 members of staff, plus a fantastic group of 120 volunteers working across the county. We use all the feedback we gather, through community engagement, social media, press, events and focus groups to improve local services. You can read more about our work in our latest Impact Report: https://healthwatchdorset.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/HWDorset-Annual-Report-2019-20-finalLr2.pdf
One of our big projects last year was to find out what local people think would improve the NHS in Dorset, as part of the NHS Long Term Plan. We ran an online survey and visited local groups and held community events, gathering feedback from over 500 people. One of the key themes people told us they’d like to see was better sharing of health records between NHS and care services across the country.
“I would like to see the hospitals sharing information and medical records on a single NHS platform, so that wherever you are treated in the country they can access your up-to-date records rather than waste hours going through medical questionnaires and information that is duplicated time and time again.”
If you live with a physical or learning disability, a long term health condition, or care for someone who does, easy access to a joined up health and care record can make all the difference in getting the help you need, when you need it.
We are working with Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (Dorset CCG) to embed our findings into their future plans and working with local groups of GP’s and Patient Participation Groups (PPGs), to help improve access to GP services, annual health checks, and support for people with long-term conditions and their carers.
Covid-19 has been so challenging and had a devastating impact on the most vulnerable groups in society. We’ve all had to adapt to living in lockdown and using technology in different ways to connect us and feel less isolated.
It’s never been more important to listen and learn from people’s experiences of the care they receive. If you’d like to share your story please contact us on 0300 111 0102 or http://www.healthwatchdorset.co.uk
Context
The Dorset Care Record (DCR) brings together key information so health and social care staff can give residents in Dorset the best possible care. Last month, professionals across the DCR Partnership accessed more than 10,000 records – the first time the milestone was reached. Among the benefits of the DCR is that your record is always available to those involved in your care and that having a comprehensive record allows professionals to understand your situation better.