01.06.2016
Croydon carers are asked to give views on services and celebrate best practice
Healthwatch Croydon is supporting Carers Week, with a series of events and surveys and a chance to nominate Croydon’s best health and social care organisation and individual for carers.
Healthwatch Croydon is supporting the Carers Support Centre in delivering local activity as part of national Carers Week from 6 June to 10 June. They will be holding a focus group for carers of over 65s on Monday 6 June 10.30-12.30 at the Carer’s Support Centre. The aim is to gain their experiences of using health and social care service which will contribute to a report to be sent toCroydon’s key health and social care decision-makers.
In addition, Healthwatch Croydon is also asking all carers in Croydon to express what they feel about services, through a Carers Experience Survey both online and on paper throughout the week.
As the local champion for health and social care services in Croydon, they are proud to support best practice through the Healthwatch Croydon Carers Choice Awards. There are two categories: Best Health and Social Care Organisation for Carers in Croydon, and Best Health and Social Care Professional for Carers in Croydon. Polling will be open the whole of that week, both on paper and online, and the winners will be announced the following week.
Healthwatch Croydon will be part of the Carers’ Information Day on Wednesday 8 June at Fairfield Halls. It will finish the week by inviting carers to their Patient Experience Panel on Friday 10 June at the Carers Support Centre. At this panel, they will have a chance to analyse data received and gain an insight into how Healthwatch Croydon uses the data to influence change.
Charlie Ladyman, CEO said: “We are keen to support his week with these initiatives, and look to provide strong feedback on services which we can then influence change with key decision-makers such as the Council, Clinical Commissioning Group and local NHS providers. One of our key priorities this year is the experience of carers, particularly those looking after those 65 years and older. Their story is rarely told, and, as the champion for better health and social care, we need to hear it and make recommendations to influence change to ensure services meet carers’ needs.”
Book for the focus group, stating 10.30 or 11.30, by calling 020 8663 5648 or register online.
