Overview

Healthwatch is here to make sure your views on local health and social care services are heard.  They are the independent champion for patients and public voices in improving health and social care. They bring people together to influence and improve services and share your experiences with them. They have places on various care boards and groups where they raise issues important to you.
Healthwatch Southwark has an Information & Signposting service that aims to provide independent information and signpost people to support them to access their local health and social care services.

What do they do?

• Offer a friendly and confidential service, independent from the NHS and social care
• Put you in touch with sources of information, or direct you to NHS and social care services
• Put you in touch with an advocacy service to help you handle your NHS complaints
• Cover health and social care
• Speak to you on the phone
• Feedback themes or key issues to Commissioners and those responsible, to make improvements.  On the website, you can search on the “Find a service” section, under mental health conditions (or other categories), for local hospitals, GP services, dentists, care homes and for care in your own home.
•  What can’t they do is investigate your complaint, or make a complaint for you.
• Advise you on the best place to go.