Charity teams up with regulator to hear your experiences of health care during COVID

Healthwatch England has joined the Care Quality Commission to launch a year-long campaign in response to the coronavirus.

Because We All Care aims to encourage more people to share their experiences of health care to help the NHS and social care services identify and address quality issues.

The team believe by working together they can increase responses and create change across all the health and social care services.

The campaign which was launched in July this year has already attracted the support of over 240 partner organisations and reached over 1.6 million people.

Speaking of the campaign, Vanessa Scott, Portfolio Project Manager, Healthwatch Swindon, and BANES, said,

“We have received a fantastic response so far with over 1150 people nationwide sharing their experiences.

“However, we want to hear from more of you. The more feedback we receive the greater power we have to influence change.”

It is a well-recognised fact that COVID has had a huge impact on health and social care services. The team is keen to remind the public that their feedback is vital to ensure that services in Bath and North East Somerset know what is working well and what needs to be improved.

Emma Smith, Communications Administrator, Healthwatch Swindon and BANES, said,

“The wonderful feature of the campaign is how broadly it applies. Healthwatch and CQC want to hear about all aspects of health and social care from everyone. It is rare that a survey can be so wide-reaching.

“We listen to what people like about services from GP’s to dentistry, and what could be improved. We then share these views with those with the power to make change happen. We can also help with advice and information to access the support people need.”

Although the campaign has attracted much feedback the team is asking for more feedback specifically from men and the younger demographic.

Vanessa Scott, Portfolio Project Manager, said, “We cannot highlight enough how this campaign applies to everyone. So many people think they do not use health services but go on to visit pharmacies or access health services at university.

“We want to hear from everyone about all the experiences good or bad.”

Because We All Care will run into 2021. If you would like to have your say visit https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/tell-us-about-your-experiences-nhs-and-social-care-services.

Additionally, if you are interested in supporting the campaign, please contact emmasmith@thecareforum.org.uk