Your voice matters: What Healthwatch Shropshire does for you

You might have heard of Healthwatch Shropshire, but what exactly do we do, and why does it matter to you?

We are here to make sure your voice is heard when it comes to health and care services. Quite simply, we are your independent champion. That means we listen to your experiences and use what you tell us to help improve health and care services across Shropshire.

Healthwatch was created in 2013 to give people a stronger say in how health and social care services are run. Since then, Healthwatch Shropshire has grown and evolved, including providing the Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service for Shropshire since 2016. We are now part of Community Resource, a well established local charity, which helps strengthen our connections with communities across the county. But one thing has never changed; our independence. We exist to represent you, not the organisations that provide services.

So, what do we actually do?

Our role is set out in law. We are the independent voice for people using NHS and social care services. That means we gather your feedback, both good and bad, and make sure decision makers hear it.

We do this in lots of simple ways. You might speak to us at a local event, fill in a survey, share your story online, or contact us directly. Every story matters. Whether it’s about a GP appointment, hospital care, or support at home, your experience helps us build a clear picture of what’s working and what isn’t.

We then take what we hear and use it to influence change. We share your feedback with the people who plan and run services. We sit on key boards and meetings where decisions are made. And we speak up, clearly and independently, to push for improvements where they are needed.

But we don’t just focus on problems. Positive experiences are just as important. When something works well, we highlight it. That helps protect and strengthen the services that people value most.

Right now, your voice matters more than ever. Health and care services are under pressure, and decisions are being made that affect us all. By sharing your experiences, you help ensure those decisions are grounded in real life. In order to focus our feedback we regularly put out a call for people to share their experiences about a particular service. Since Christmas we have been asking people with spinal injuries to share their experiences of specialist and general health and care services to highlight what is working well and the challenges they experience. Currently we want to hear from people and their families and carers who have received treatment in the community through Virtual Wards and we are supporting the national Healthwatch campaign to encourage people to ‘Share for better care’ so people get in the habit of sharing their experiences, both good and not so good.

You might think one story won’t make a difference, but it does. When many people speak up, it creates a powerful case for change. Public support also helps protect the independence of organisations like ours, so we can continue to speak up on your behalf.

So, here’s a simple ask: stay involved. Tell us about your experiences. Encourage others to do the same. Support the idea of an independent patient voice.
Because when you speak, we listen. And together, we can make care better for everyone.

Share your experience of NHS and social care services in Shropshire or contact the team directly.

Lynn Cawley, Chief Officer, Healthwatch Shropshire