Many of you may be aware of the sudden news that was published last week about the disbanding of Healthwatch England and its local bodies. We were shocked by the news, but also had no details at the time. As the organisation that oversees and manages Healthwatch Barnsley, we wanted to make sure we spoke to our commissioners and the council to harness a shared understanding of the situation. Capturing the voice of Barnsley people concerning health and social care is vital to understanding the needs of our community. Healthwatch Barnsley has been a powerful vehicle for this task.
As it stands, we do not have any timescales. The Department for Health and Social Care still needs to clarify when and how any transfer of Healthwatch functions will occur. We will encourage them to answer these questions as soon as possible and advocate for a safe and independent space to hear local voices. The announcement may have sounded like closure was imminent, but this is not the case.
While we wait for answers and clarity, Healthwatch Barnsley will continue to gather, analyse, and communicate people's health care experiences and provide advice and information. We are still committed to delivering on the priorities you chose only a few months ago. To aid focus and clarity, we will attend to one priority area every 3 months and create a report on each one, so please do keep checking the Healthwatch Barnsley website for further updates. Please continue to engage with us and give your valued thoughts and suggestions, as the purpose of Healthwatch is still as important as it has always been.
As we learn more about what is happening, we will endeavour to keep you updated and informed.
In the meantime, thank you for your support and engagement. We value every insight and thought shared.
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