News
2018 AGM
Join us at our 2018 AGM to find out about our achievements in the year to March 2018. The event will have insightful updates from key note speakers as well as news from the team. The AGM will take place in rooms 1 and 2 at Blackburn Central Library at 3.30pm on 24th October. Book your place now at
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/healthwatch-blackburn-with-darwen-annual-general-meeting-tickets-50352762468. We'd love to see you there!
NHS collaborate with children and young people to improve their mental health services
A report entitled “Thrive: Healthy young minds” has been published, about the views of children and young people and their families, concerning child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in Lancashire and South Cumbria. An innovative collaboration called “The Healthwatch Collaborative”, teamed up with the Children and Young People’s Transformation Board to learn how the NHS can improve child and adolescent mental health services.
During May and June 2018, local Healthwatch teams organised seven events across Lancashire and South Cumbria and invited children, young people, family members, carers and health professionals to hear their views about CAMHS services. Each event focused on an aspect of child and adolescent mental health care and was designed to be highly participative. The workshops focused on crisis support, access to services, transition to adult services, the role that digital technology can play to support young people, addressing the stigma of using mental health services, care of the most vulnerable, and ensuring that services are run as an integrated ‘one stop shop’.
One young person, whose comments were included in the report said: “It’s a good way to involve young people - it’s good to include young people’s experiences”.
Sue Stevenson, Chief Operating Officer for Healthwatch Cumbria, on behalf of the Healthwatch Collaborative, said:
“When the NHS considers making improvements to its services, it is essential that the users of those services are involved. We know from past experience and research that improvements are best recommended by those who use the services because they have knowledge, experience and insight of those services, to make meaningful recommendations.’’
David Eaton, Service Manager CAMHS Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of the Children and Young People’s Transformation Board leading the redesign of mental health services for children and young people, said:
“All of the Trusts and the CCGs involved in improving CAMHS services are passionate about those services being the best that they can possibly be. The energy and enthusiasm from the young people, families and carers was incredible and the result is an immensely useful report with feedback that we are now acting upon.
On behalf of the Children and Young People’s Transformation Board I would like to thank everyone who took part in the events, and in particular thank the Healthwatch Collaborative for helping us with this. We are delighted with the Thrive report and look forward to continued engagement on our ideas and plans."
Planning for the next phase of co-production is underway and you can find out the latest at: https://www.healthyyoungmindslsc.co.uk/home
Read the full report here
GP Patient Survey 2018 Results are Out
The approval rate for GP surgeries in the East Lancashire CCG area is positive, with 85% of patients rating their overall experience of their practice as either very good or fairly good. However, just 11% of patients in East Lancashire have made GP appointments online despite data from the 2018 GP Patient Survey showing that people are finding it increasingly difficult to contact their family doctor over the phone.
Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen is responding to this news by focusing in our 2018/19 workplan on digital appointment and prescription booking to understand residents' experiences and any barriers they may face.
Find the detailed results about how your GP surgery is performing here.
Have your say on NHS policies
Residents of Blackburn with Darwen are being encouraged to have their say on NHS CCG policies. As part of this ongoing process, the policy for the treatment of varicose veins is now available for patient and public engagement and feedback. For more information, please see
Launch of East Lancashire Hospital's new inpatient guide
We were proud to support the launch of East Lancashire Hospital Trust's new information guide to assist inpatients and their relatives/carers during hospital stays. Click here to access a copy of the guide.
Want to find out more about Healthwatch?
We're happy to share with you our new Easy Read Guide to what Healthwatch does and how we can help you get the support you need.
