Over 3,000 provide feedback on Dorset's health and social care services
An annual report's been published
Dorset Healthcare's latest annual report shows over 3,000 people shared feedback about services in the county.
The body works with other organisation like the NHS and voluntary groups to make sure everyone's getting the care they need.
As a result 19 recommendations for improvements to health and social care have been made.
The report up to March 2021, also found the most common comment or enquiry was about Covid and vaccinations.
Viv Aird, Chair of the Healthwatch Dorset Steering Group, said:
"Healthwatch Dorset has achieved a great deal this year, despite the challenges of the pandemic. We adapted our plans to support local people to get the information and care they needed, and to help our health and care services respond to the needs of local people.
"We investigated people's experiences of health and social care during COVID-19, including those experiencing homelessness and those living and working in care homes, and we gathered people's views of Dorset's COVID-19 vaccination programme.
"We have also worked on some of the projects that we had anticipated prior to COVID-19, using patient and public feedback to guide improvements in the county's mental health services, and recruiting and training volunteer Young Listeners to gather young people's views to help shape local services.
"I would like to thank everyone who shared their views and experiences with us to help improve health care for local people. I would also like to applaud the dedication of Dorset's health and care staff who have worked tirelessly to care for the public during COVID-19. We all need to continue working together as we move out of the pandemic, to ensure that the excellent work achieved this year, in tackling the virus and to provide quality care for local people, is enhanced by what patients and the public tell us they want and need."