Frequently asked questions
We are here to listen but if you have a question that you think other people have already asked, have a look here first
What is Healthwatch Harrow?
Healthwatch Harrow is part of the Healthwatch England network. Each local Healthwatch is part of its local community and works in partnership with other local organisations. If you use any health services in Harrow, we are here to help you if you need to make a complaint, give feedback or find out who you need to speak to about the service you received. We can signpost you in the right direction, and help you speak to the right people who can help you resolve your complaint.
What will Healthwatch Harrow do?
Healthwatch Harrow will:
• Provide information about people’s views and experiences of health and social care to make sure they are taken in to consideration when services are planned and delivered.
What type of organisation will Healthwatch Harrow be?
The Health and Social Care Act 2012 gave Local Authorities a statutory duty to commission an effective and efficient local Healthwatch in their area. Healthwatch Harrow is an independent organisation working with consortium of partners from the local voluntary and community sector.
Healthwatch Harrow shows credibility and gains public trust by listening and acting on concerns when things go wrong and by supporting people to access the health and social care services they choose.
What are Health and Wellbeing Boards?
Health and wellbeing boards were established under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to act as a forum in which key leaders from the local health and care system can work together to improve the health and wellbeing of their local population.
They became fully operational on 1 April 2013 in all 152 local authorities with adult social care and public heath responsibilities.
How will Healthwatch Harrow be funded?
Healthwatch Harrow is funded with money from Harrow Council.
What is Healthwatch England?
Healthwatch England is unique in that it's sole purpose is to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use health and social care services and to speak out on their behalf.
What is PALS and what relationship will it have with Healthwatch Harrow?
Patient Advice and Liaison Services are based in hospitals and health trusts, and helps patients get answers to any questions that they might have about NHS services. They also help resolve problems for patients who do not want to make a formal complaint.
Some of PALS functions can be described as ‘signposting’. Healthwatch Harrow and PALS will work together on their information giving role. PALS arrangements in hospitals will remain as they are now.
What is ICAS and what relationship will it have with Healthwatch Harrow?
Independent Complaints and Advocacy Service is currently out for tender in Harrow. From April 2013 a provider organisation will be contracted to deliver a local NHS Complaints Advocacy Service.
Healthwatch Harrow will support complaints about NHS services by signposting people to the NHS complaints advocacy services. Healthwatch Harrow will maintain a relationship with the NHS complaints advocacy service in sharing information where appropriate (with suitable safeguards for data protection to ensure confidentiality).
Local authorities will continue to have responsibility for managing complaints relating to adult social care and to commission advocacy services to support service users including those who may wish to complain.
