Season’s greetings!
We would like to thank everyone who has helped us to improve local health and social care services in 2023. Over 7,000 Brummies have shared their experiences with us over the past year, resulting in important changes such as:
- Improving patient safety by challenging and changing the staff culture at University Hospitals Birmingham
- More weekend dentist appointments
- More evening GP appointments
- Recruitment of more diverse and specialist midwives at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals
- Better quality of care at day opportunity services provided by Birmingham City Council
We have also investigated issues including:
- How the cost of living crisis is affecting people’s access to health and social care
- Support for prostate cancer patients
- Access to adult community mental health services
It’s been a big year for Healthwatch Birmingham, as we mark our 10th anniversary and our achievement of reaching more people in Birmingham and having more impact than ever before. None of this would be possible without everyone who has shared their feedback with us, or the staff at services who have listened to and acted upon what patients want. We’d particularly like to thank our amazing group of volunteers and all the community groups we have worked with, who help us to reach out right across this wonderfully diverse city and ensure everyone’s voice is being heard.
But while we have much to celebrate, we are also aware that things are very tough for many local people and the health and social care services they rely on right now. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of places that can help with things like the cost of heating, food and healthcare at the moment. We’re also encouraging everyone to continue sharing feedback about services on our website, so we know what’s working well and what needs to be improved.
Best wishes for a peaceful festive break – see you in 2024!
The Healthwatch Birmingham office is closed for the Christmas break from 1pm on Friday 22nd December 2023 until 8am on Tuesday 2nd January 2024.
If you require information about local health or social care services, or local support or community organisations, you may like to visit our website at www.healthwatchbirmingham.co.uk
You can also tell us your views on any health and social care services you use on our online Feedback Centre.
If you have a health concern or need urgent care call NHS 111. In the case of an emergency call 999.
If you are troubled and urgently need someone to talk to the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123.