The Board received a presentation from Matthew Adrien (Healthwatch Towerhamlets) that provided an overview of Healthwatch Tower Hamlets, including their governance arrangements, service areas and priorities.  The main points of the discussion summarised as follows:

The Board:

v  Noted that LBTH has commissioned Your Voice in Health & Social Care (YVHSC) had been as the new provider for Healthwatch in Tower Hamlets, taking over from the previous provider on the 1^st of April 2022.

v  Noted that Your Voice in Health and Social Care (YVHSC) is an independent organisation that gives people a voice to improve and shape services and help them get the best out of health and social care provision.

v  Noted that YVHSC specialises in providing Health and Care services that offer effective engagement and involvement that impacts on community wellbeing and development. Using their expertise YVHSC involve people in ways that are both efficient and inclusive, and so can maximise the impact of their engagement.

v  Noted that as part of YVHSC’s commitment to represent communities and provide services that are valuable and required, YVHSC provide Healthwatch services, Carers provision, Advocacy, and comprehensive community engagement. Their research and engagement teams support community consultation and deep dive studies across all London Boroughs.  As an organisation, YVHSC aims to empower and represent diverse communities, so as to make every voice count. YVHSC strive to understand local needs, experiences and concerns of people who use health and social care services and to effectively to speak out on their behalf.

v  Noted that YVHSC currently operates Healthwatch services in Hounslow; Ealing; Waltham Forest; Bromley; Lewisham, Hammersmith, and Fulham that engage and involve members of the public in the commissioning of Health and social care services.

v  Agreed that (i) it is through extensive community engagement and continuous consultation with local people, health services and the local authority; and (ii) Healthwatch members of staff and volunteers need to speak to local people about their experiences of health and social care services. To build bridges and create partnerships between local people and services, to provide a better future for all.

v  Noted the following priority areas for YVHSC in developing Healthwatch within Tower Hamlets is (i) to align community needs and priorities with partners strategic and commissioning plans, ensuring impact and influence; (ii) to work with CVS partners and building links with key community groups (e.g. Somali and Bangladeshi community); (iii) to develop Directed Enhanced Service provision at the local care homes (i.e. primary medical services); (v) to advance the concept of the “15 minute neighbourhood” to ensure that everyone who lives in the Borough should be able to meet most, if not all of their needs within a short walk, using public transport or a short bike ride from their home to help them live a fulfilling and healthy life within their local area; (v) to ensure that the local voice heard in new regional structures.

v  Noted the work being undertaken to establish a Local Advisory Committee with 6-9 members from local community to provide guidance, support, advice, and expertise to service delivery.

v  Noted that YVHSC offers opportunity to gain relevant experience, while developing the practical skills and knowledge.

The Chair placed on record his thanks to Matthew Adrien and the contribution of Board Members to the discussion on this item.