14.10.2015
The Mayor commends the work of Healthwatch Croydon
The Mayor of Croydon, Cllr Patricia Hay-Justice, commended the work of Healthwatch Croydon, the resident’s champion for better health and social care at their Annual Meeting, last week.
She expressed the importance of the role that Healthwatch Croydon has, and why all residents need to be involved: “We all have a massive stake in Croydon’s health services. It will all get better if we do our part. We need one voice, one champion. Healthwatch works collaboratively and needs our support to give them added strength, to ensure our voices are heard.”
With standing room only at the Community Space at Bernard Weatherill House, the event saw a 30% rise in attendance from 2014. Residents from across the borough were represented as well as health professionals, charity volunteers, councillors and members of the Clinical Commissioning Group.
There was a keynote speech from Hannah Miller, retired Executive Director Adult Services, Health and Housing at Croydon Council and Current Commissioner Opportunity and Fairness Commission for Croydon about ‘Opportunities and Challenges for Health and Social Care – Making Our Voices Heard.’
Croydon resident and Healthwatch volunteer, Nicky Selwyn, explained why she volunteers and how the organisation is making a difference in improving health and social care services for all.
There were also presentations on achievements so far from the interim Chairperson, Vanessa Horsford, and plans for the year ahead from the Chief Executive Officer, Charlie Ladyman, followed by many questions raised from the diverse audience.
The event followed with a community fair with eight organisations represented including AGE UK Croydon, Asian Resource Centre of Croydon, BME Forum, Croydon Adult Social Services Users’ Panel, Croydon Hearing, Mind in Croydon, Off the Record and VoiceAbility.
Charlie Ladyman said “It was great to hear so many voices on healthcare represented at this event, and meet so many new people. Healthwatch Croydon is here for any, and every, resident and we can only achieve in our objectives if we hear their views and turn that into positive actions to improve services.”
