Healthwatch Hertfordshire is the independent consumer voice for health and social care in Hertfordshire. Healthwatch is committed to representing the views of Hertfordshire’s citizens. We work with voluntary and community sector organisations to ensure the voices of service users and communities are heard and represented. We also work with commissioners (the people who order services) and those delivering health and social care to improve services. We focus on important issues using evidence to determine our priorities.
Healthwatch Hertfordshire is the independent consumer champion for health, public health, and social care in Hertfordshire. But what does that mean? Our role includes: Gathering Evidence – All of our work is based on what people tell us, either through email, telephone calls, at events we attend, social media, or by comments left on this website. Signposting – Healthwatch helps people to find information about local health and social care services Challenging Health Inequalities – We particularly want to find out about the experiences of people who are disadvantaged in accessing services or may have difficulties complaining Get People Involved – We try to promote the involvement of Hertfordshire’s communities in improving and developing services In addition, we work with commissioners. We do this in a number of ways: Representing the People of Hertfordshire – We aim to help commissioners to plan and design services making sure that the views, experiences and needs of patients, carers and users are taken into account. Monitoring – We highlight where services are doing well and also where they can be improved. We carry out visits to services to see how well they are working. Escalation – We can also take concerns to the inspectors and regulators if necessary. All of this is summed up by our Looking Ahead: 2016-2020, our strategy document which outlines not only our aims, but also our core values.
