Like many councillors, I hold a number of roles, and these help me to get to know my local communities and support my work as a councillor.
One of my roles is as Co-Chair of Healthwatch Newham, one I have had for five years.
Healthwatch is the health and social care champion, covering the whole country with its local teams. Healthwatch Newham is a small team, but certainly makes a difference locally.
Although funded by the local authority (with a grant from central government), Healthwatch always makes sure that it is, and is seen as, acting independently.
This was clearly shown to me during the pandemic, when Healthwatch Newham was seen as a trusted voice by local communities.
‘Vaccine hesitancy’ was an issue across the country, with some communities less willing to sign up, leading to worse health outcomes in those communities.
As a trusted independent voice, Healthwatch was able to support the vaccine rollout by giving local people the information they needed to make an informed decision.
One of Healthwatch’s key strengths is that it listens to people and gives them a voice, including people who are often under-represented.
In 2021, a trend analysis report on maternity services showed high levels of dissatisfaction with maternity services.
As a result, last year Healthwatch Newham worked with other Healthwatch teams in north-east London to collect the views of people using maternity services to support the NHS’s maternity equality and equity programme.
People from more deprived communities and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities are more likely to be affected by health inequalities and inequities, and it’s essential that they are involved if plans are to meet their needs.
I’m pleased to say that this priority is also being reflected in Healthwatch England’s work looking at maternal mental health.
Healthwatch provides connections with local communities and with the wider Healthwatch network, and the NHS that help me as a councillor. Why not find out what they can do for you?