From concerned mums to passionate pensioners, thousands of ordinary people all across the borough are sharing their experiences to help hard-pressed hospitals, GP surgeries and care homes find ways to improve.

Do you have opinions on any of the local health and social care services you use? If you do, why not tell Healthwatch Ealing? It is commissioned by Ealing Council to act as our borough’s independent consumer champion. It is here to talk and listen to people from every part of the community about health and social care services.

It has recently been relaunched and is seeking residents’ views, and for local groups and volunteers to get involved in its work.

‘Giving you a voice’

Councillor Hitesh Tailor, the council’s cabinet member for health and adult services, said: “The more that people share their views about NHS and social care, the more services can understand when, and where, improvements might be needed. Healthwatch Ealing is an independent organisation giving you a voice and is able to feed research and views to the right eyes and ears.

“From hospitals to opticians, and from pharmacists to care homes, there are so many ways in which we all rely on local health services. By helping Healthwatch Ealing you would be helping us all.”

‘As a local person myself, it’s an exciting time’

Jaime Walsh, director of Healthwatch Ealing, said: “Commissioners and service providers have to listen to us so we know they will be listening to you. We will make sure your voice is heard, in fact we’ve already started to do this. During June, we spoke to 2,000 local residents about their experiences of getting a GP appointment. The data we are getting back from this is fascinating and is already making an impact. Ealing Clinical Commissioning Group, which buys health services on behalf of local residents, is using the information to feed into a new three-year-plan to improve access to appointments and the whole system of GP care. As a local person myself, it’s an exciting time. Patients have such valuable messages and experiences to share. We will be working hard to ensure we have the systems in place to hear from each and every one of you and make your voice count.

“If you are a patient, service user, relative or carer with an experience to share, please get in touch. If you are at a health or social care service, keep an eye out for our staff and volunteers. Our model places a strong emphasis on going out to meet people, not expecting you to come to us.

“If you work with local communities and want to join forces to have their voices heard, we’d love to hear from you, too.

“We are also always looking for volunteers to support our work. If you have an interest in health and social care or want to expand your skills, please contact us for more information on the roles available.”

More information

• Visit www.healthwatchealing.org.uk
• Call 0203 8860 830