Healthwatch Northamptonshire wins national award
We were Highly Commended for our work with Young Healthwatch in the volunteering category, Highly Commended for the ‘#ItStartsWithYou’ category whereby Sandra Bell, Healthwatch volunteer, was personally recognised for her work raising the issues around access to health and social care services for those with a hearing impairment.
Then to top it all, we were category winners for ‘Helping people have their say’ for the work we have done helping over 500 new parents share their views and experiences of local maternity services.
Kate Holt, CEO of Healthwatch Northamptonshire said:
“It was with immense pride that I accepted the awards on behalf of our small team of dedicated staff and hardworking volunteers. We continually struggle with resources locally but this is national recognition for the work we do ensuring the voices of local people are in heard in Northamptonshire”.
Dr David N Jones, Chair of Healthwatch Northamptonshire said:
“Thank you to all the volunteers and staff of Healthwatch Northamptonshire, these three awards reflect your daily commitment to making things better for people who use health and social care services in Northamptonshire. This is a proud moment in difficult times!”
Sandra Bell, Healthwatch volunteer said:
“It is rewarding to be recognised for the work within this category. However, there is a very long way to go, particularly around health, before it becomes the norm for deaf and hard of hearing patients to be treated with the additional services they require and are entitled to under the Equalities Act, for example British Sign Language Signers being provided at appointments with any health care professionals. Healthwatch Northamptonshire remains vigilant around these and many other issues”.
