How will we make a difference in 2023-24?

Report - 5 March 2023

Our workplan sets out the areas of health and social care we will be looking at over the coming financial year. It also outlines the research we plan to carry out in order to help improve local services.

Public feedback and people's experiences help form our work plan. The areas that we will focus on are decided by our staff and volunteers at meeting that is held every year.

What will be we focusing on in 2023-24?

North Somerset: waiting lists and backlogs

In North Somerset, we will be looking at people's experiences of backlogs. This includes waiting lists for appointments, consultations, and procedures in secondary care.

Bristol: mental health services

In Bristol, we will be investigating the access to and quality of mental health services for adults.

South Gloucestershire: social care

In South Gloucestershire, we will be finding out more about people's experiences of social care assessments.

Enter and View visits

As a local Healthwatch, we are able to visit health and social care services (such as hospitals and GP surgeries) and see them in action. This is called 'Enter and View'. Our goal is to identify what's working well and where improvements are needed.

Find out more about Enter and View.

In 2023-24, we plan to visit the below inpatient mental health wards:

  • Juniper Ward, Long Fox Unit
  • Oakwood Ward, Southmead
  • Lime Ward, Callington Road
  • Silver Birch Ward, Callington Road
  • Cherry Ward, Callington Road

We want to hear from patients on the wards about their experiences. We would also like to find out about inpatient care plans, hospital discharge planning, and joined-up care with community services.

Research in 2023-24

We will be looking at:
  • Good examples of GP access and communication with patients. 
  • Best practice in GP surgeries and Primary Care Networks.
  • Areas where integrated neighbourhood teams have been positively influenced by patients and the local community.

If you are affected by any of the issues above, please share your feedback with us. Click here to complete our online feedback form.

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