What is Healthwatch?

Many changes are being made to the way health and social care services are being provided both locally and nationally. The government is therefore keen that the public has information, advice and support to help them understand how they can choose and access health and social care services.

In March 2012, the government introduced a new law (Health & Social Care Act 2012) requiring each local authority area to set up a new organisation called Healthwatch by April 2013. The government made funding available to local authorities to help them to do this.

At a national level, the government also set up Healthwatch England. This is a statutory committee of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) - the organisation that checks whether hospitals and healthcare services, dental and GP practices, care homes and care services are meeting government standards. Healthwatch England will work to ensure the views and experiences of people who use health and social care services across the country can influence national policy, advice and guidance. 

At a local level, Healthwatch provides information and advice to Islanders about health and social care services, signpost people to services -so they understand the choice of care available - and involve people to help improve and shape these services in the future.  

This service is part of our development to improve our website and can now be found on our new beta website.