Healthwatch Sunderland priorities for 2024 – 2025

We need your vote!

We currently have six potential work priorities, these are based on themes that people have shared with us or work identified as being important.

Question Title

* 1. To help us to focus our resources on areas where we feel we can have the most impact for local people we would like you to choose your top TWO from the list below.

1. Social care services - where to go for what

These services are provided by local authorities or other agencies and are forms of personal care and other practical assistance so people can remain as independent as they can be.

Through engagement in the local community we have been told people are struggling to navigate these services. Our hope is that our work will help to raise awareness of this and help people better use these services.

2. Day services and supported living for people with disabilities

Day services - provide support and opportunities for people with various needs. They enhance wellbeing and promote social engagement. They offer structured activities, social interaction providing a safe and supportive environment.

Supported living - provides personal care and support to people with disabilities or complex conditions who want to live independently in their own homes.

This is an area we have never researched before but we would like an understanding of how these services are working for those using them.

3. Accessing dementia assessment and support

If you or someone you know suspects dementia, it's essential to undergo proper assessment and diagnosis, so that the right help and support can be put in place.

Through engagement in the local community we often hear of difficulties people are having in accessing assessments and subsequent support.

We hope to help people who need support, know where to go and how to access it.

4. Health visitors

Health visitors are specialist community public health nurses. They specialise in working with families with a child/children aged 0 - 5 to identify health needs as early as possible and improve health and wellbeing.

We have heard some negative feedback while being out in the local community. We would like to complete research in this area to help us understand why some people are having negative experiences and hope to help improve this.

5. Pharmacy First

Pharmacy First is a new NHS scheme that allows you to visit a pharmacist for seven common illnesses and receive prompt advice and treatment including prescriptions where appropriate without the need to see a GP.

We would like to research this scheme to see how it is working and it's impact.

6. Emergency and Urgent care

Within Sunderland Royal Hospital there are two departments where people go when emergency or urgent treatment is needed.

Through feedback we often hear about people's negative experiences and a general lack of understanding of the difference between the two departments.

We wish to further explore these issues and gain a better understanding to help improve peoples experiences.

Question Title

* 2. In addition to the above priorities are there any other health or social care areas, you would like us consider as part of our work over the next year?

Should you need any support to complete the survey or have any questions please contact us on the details below:
Email: healthwatchsunderland@pcp.uk.net
Telephone: 0191 514 7145

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