Healthwatch Bucks reflect on Covid-19's impact on services

Their annual report gives an overview of health and social care services in Buckinghamshire

Author: Scarlett Bawden-GaulPublished 26th Jul 2021

Healthwatch Bucks have shared their annual report covering the challenges of Covid-19.

Each year Healthwatch Bucks review health and care services in Buckinghamshire, through a combination of surveys through the year, reviews of experiences and their own reflections.

This annual report looks at changes to services because of coronavirus as well as reflecting on new ones implemented.

Healthwatch Bucks says highlights include:

  • 3338 people told us about their COVID-19 vaccinations
  • 162 people supported through signposting
  • being awarded ‘highly commended’ by Healthwatch England for their work with veterans
  • hosting two online webinars for local people – Both were a great success with over 50 people joining each time
  • over 200 people shared their experience of living in or frequently visiting Bucks care homes
  • 479 people told us about their GP and hospital appointments

Lucy Brown from Healthwatch Bucks explains why a report like this is so important after the last year:

"Its really good to have a report like this which serves as an overview for the services in Buckinghamshire.

"Over the last year particularly one area will know their practices but they wont know what others are doing. Even in the vaccination effort a centre will naturally be focused on themselves and not be able to reflect and engage in other centres.

"We bring all of the information together so they they can understand what is going on and can see how services and other teams are working.

"Its not about being negative, most of what we share are good practices. It about being able to reflect on the work being done, and although we do provide recommendations its more focused on working towards a common goal."

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