Patients views sought in campaign

Since 2013 Healthwatch Shropshire has encouraged people to share their views of local health and social care services and passed this information to providers to help them gain insight into people's experiences. Volunteers and staff have met people in local markets, run stands at hospitals across the county, visited care homes to talk to residents and collected survey feedback from local students.

Jane Randall-Smith, CEO of Healthwatch Shropshire, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has given us feedback as it has allowed us to share information with providers who have worked to make improvements to services.

“One example of many where feedback has made a difference was when we were contacted last year by members of the public telling us about difficulties they were having accessing NHS dentists. We shared this with NHS England. As a result NHS England have agreed to make extra provision for approximately 857 more patients to access NHS dental services in Shrewsbury and Market Drayton.”

In the last year the Healthwatch network has heard from almost 300,000 people specifically sharing their story so that the NHS and council-run care services can find ways to improve so that they can survive and thrive in difficult times.

Reports from across the Healthwatch network suggest that the value of listening to patient feedback is starting to gain real traction within the NHS with two thirds of local Healthwatch reporting that healthcare providers are now actively seeking out information from them about how patients are experiencing care.

In recognition of all those who have shared their feedback, Healthwatch England is launching the campaign, #ItStartsWithYou, not only to highlight the difference people can make, but also to encourage more people to come forward.

Imelda Redmond, national director of Healthwatch England, said: "Giving doctors and nurses or care home staff a box of chocolates to say thank you is a lovely gesture but sharing feedback about the experience with those in charge is far more powerful. Not only does it help to boost the morale of under pressure staff but it can help the whole health and care sector understand what it is getting right and where things need to improve. To unleash the full potential we need people to keep sharing their experiences with us, so I urge everyone to speak up and help us make the changes we all want to see.”

People can let Healthwatch Shropshire know what they think about local services by calling 01743 237884, email enquiries@healthwatchshropshire.co.uk or go to www.healthwatchshropshire.co.uk.