Earlier this year, the government confirmed through the Dash report that Healthwatch England and the wider Healthwatch network will cease to exist in the future. For many, this news raised understandable concerns about what it means for the independent voice of patients and the public in health and care. It marked the end of a national framework that, for over a decade, has helped bring people’s voices into decision-making.
Here in Essex, we want to be absolutely clear that we are not going anywhere. Healthwatch Essex continues to exist for the people of this county and very soon we will need to re-brand. While the national structure may be changing, our purpose has not. Our work has always been about championing the voices of local people and ensuring that those voices shape improvements. That commitment is as strong as ever.
We want to get your views on what's important to you about our work - please fill in this survey to help shape our re-brand.
This survey is for members of the public.
1. How did you first hear about Healthwatch Essex?
2. What do you think we do?
3. What kind of words come to mind when you think about us?
4. What are the most important features about Healthwatch Essex?
5. Do you trust us to represent people's voices in health and care?
6. What issues or sectors do you most want an organisation like ours to focus on?
(We've primarily focused on health and wellbeing in the past, but we may expand this remit in the future)
7. What would make us more visible, helpful, or relevant to you and your community?
8. If we weren't called Healthwatch Essex, what name do you think would suit us best and captures what we do?