Healthwatch Sandwell Annual Report 2017 -18

Report - 30 June 2018

A large part of Healthwatch Sandwell’s role is to represent the patient voice and work in partnership with health and social care commissioners and providers.

Healthwatch Sandwell regularly reviews what it is hearing from the public and uses this to direct further work and where to take action. This can range from following up on an issue on behalf of a group of patients with a service provider to carrying out an extensive investigation and publishing a report. In collaboration with HWS Board, a research plan has been developed and is regularly reviewed and updated so that current local issues are addressed. The methodologies utilised vary and are responsive to the particular target group and/or subject. Healthwatch Sandwell makes extensive efforts to ensure that its research meets with the highest ethical standards. Every piece of work is considered individually according to best practice, previous experience and Healthwatch England guidelines. Based on National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) guidance, our research tends to be considered service evaluation. We do not carry out clinical research.