Help us help you
Each year we ask you for:
- information about your activities (the Annual Survey)
- feedback on the support we provide you (Satisfaction Survey).
We also ask about your learning needs every two years.
We use this information to shape the support we provide to you.
Tell us what you think
We’d like all Healthwatch staff and Board members to complete the combined Satisfaction and Learning Needs survey for 2023.
This is anonymous, only takes five minutes to complete and will help us learn and improve how we can best support you.
How we’ve used what you told us previously
Communications and asks
We heard mixed views about how we communicate with you. Some of you have seen a better flow of communications. However, we’ve had a strong message that we should reduce the number of asks and improve how we communicate our priorities.
You should have noticed that we’ve introduced the Month Ahead – which sets out forthcoming campaigns, publication of new resources and guidance and the priority areas we would like you to tell us about, such as winter pressures. We share this on Workplace and in the newsletter on a monthly basis.
Support on Integrated Care Systems
At the time of the last Satisfaction Survey, Integrated Care Systems were not yet legal entities. You told us that support and resources on working with ICSs had been welcome. In the annual survey, 80% of you reported that relationships were effective when working with other Healthwatch within ICSs and 70% reported effective relationships with your ICS/ICB.
Understanding the demographic profile of staff volunteers and Board members
Along with last year’s annual survey, we included an anonymous survey on the demographic profile of Healthwatch boards, staff and volunteers to understand the extent it reflects the national profile with respect to protected characteristics. We want to track the diversity in the network – the importance of which Berkeley Wilde, CEO of the Diversity Trust recently spoke about at the meeting of Lead Officers to assist in understanding whether the actions Healthwatch are taking individually and collectively are having an impact.
Disappointingly, due to a low response rate we are unable to carry out meaningful analysis and establish an accurate benchmark. Only 40% of Healthwatch completed the survey. We will be repeating the survey in 2023 and will review how best to improve the response rate from Healthwatch and would welcome your cooperation.
Learning, training and webinars
We get a lot of positive feedback about the range and quality of learning opportunities and resources available, including the introduction of e learning and sessions led by other local Healthwatch where you can learn from them.
Last time, you told us that we should consider co-ordination of resources to prevent duplication and overburdening Healthwatch. We have a new process in place for new resources which we tell you about through the ‘Month Ahead’.
You asked us to consider core skills and to make it clearer which guidance and training is suitable for different roles and skill levels – something we will be addressing in 2023. Don’t forget to ask staff and Board members at your Healthwatch to share their views about the support we provide via our survey.
You asked for resources on research skills. Over the past year we’ve produced a range of resources including:
We have also created a dedicated online area with links to resources on data and digital, including data protection.
I hope you can see that we value every bit of feedback we receive through these surveys, as well as through other means, including informal chats. So whether positive or telling us how we can improve, we are keen to listen, so please encourage your staff and Board members to complete this year’s survey.
Gavin Macgregor
Head of Network Development
