How we make a difference
How your feedback has helped improve services locally.
Why we make a difference
Healthwatch Surrey champions the voice of local people to shape, improve and get the best from NHS, health and social care services. We are independent and have statutory powers to make sure decision makers listen to the experiences of local people.
It’s really important that you share your experiences – both good or bad. We passionately believe that listening and responding to your experiences is vital to create health and social care services that meet the needs of people in Surrey.
Reaching out to our local community
We strive to make sure we hear from as wide a range of our diverse community as possible. We want to tell the people who make decisions and change things about the experiences everyone has with health and care services.
We amplify the collective voices of people at risk of health inequalities – speaking to people experiencing health inequalities and asking about their barriers to accessing services.
In safe hands
Following our research about domestic abuse survivors’ experiences of general practice, we brought together an influential group of 21 key stakeholders, including system partners, GPs and groups representing survivors. The workshop reviewed the findings of our research and worked collaboratively to develop pragmatic and practical solutions to improve access to support and the experience of survivors.
Simplifying complaints routes
As a direct result of our insights, all complaints leads across Surrey Heartlands were instructed to ensure that Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service information was published on all websites, in a location that is central and easily accessible for complainants to see. This will ensure that people who need support to speak up will be able to get that more easily.
