Agenda item

The Committee considered the Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees Annual Report covering the 2024-2025 period.  Local Healthwatch organisations were required to produce an Annual Report setting out their aims and achievements, and this latest document, an overview of which was given by the Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees Manager, covered the following:

·       A message from our Chair

·       About us

·       Your Voice, Our Impact; A year in numbers

·       A year of making a difference

·       Working together for change

·       Making a difference in our community

·       Listening to your experiences

·       Hearing from all communities

·       Information and signposting

·       Showcasing volunteer impact

·       Finance and future priorities

·       Statutory statements

Employing four staff (with its work supported by 13 volunteers and 33 Health and Care Ambassadors), Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees had helped more than 18,500 people to have their say and get advice and information about their care during 2024-2025.  Seven reports highlighting the changes people wanted to see were published covering areas like pharmacy services, women’s health, and drug and alcohol support.

A snapshot of the work undertaken throughout the year was highlighted, including visits to local pharmacies, mystery shopping to identify problems local people were facing when trying to access dental care services, and public engagement over the closer partnership-working between North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust (NTHFT) and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (STHFT).  Attention was also focused upon migrant health (strengthening connections with local communities to understand their challenges in accessing health and care services), establishing what mattered most to young people (mental health emerging as the top concern), and the launch of the Health and Care Ambassador Programme (to make it easier for people to access services and information).  Building influence at a ‘system’ level was another key element, with efforts made to further relationships with the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB) and contribute to overarching strategies.

Looking ahead, four priorities had been agreed for 2025-2026 – tackling health inequalities, hearing from under-represented voices, ensuring patient feedback shapes real change to mental health and social care services, and growing the Health and Care Ambassador Programme.

The Committee commended Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees for one of the best reports it had produced which evidenced increased engagement / communication with more diverse groups.  Noting the references to GPs, Members drew attention to people receiving appointment letters for dates which had already passed, as well as continuing issues around missed appointments (including the impact parking limitations / charges can have on these statistics).  It was confirmed that Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees would be looking into how accessible NTHFT / STHFT services were in terms of transport.

Regarding the financial information contained within the report, the Committee asked why Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees had received 0.8% less funding from Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (SBC) for 2024-2025 compared to the previous year.  Whilst the reason for this was unknown, the additional Integrated Care System (ICS) income to support new areas of collaborative work was a key contributor towards last year’s overall achievements, and Members were assured that there appeared to be enough SBC / ICS funding for Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees to continue its operations until 2027.  Welcoming this security, the Committee did, however, point to the nearly £20,000 overspend – something which could not be sustained.  In response, it was noted that an underspend in the previous year (which included non-recruitment to a vacant role) was used to backfill this year’s overspend.

Comments concluded with the Committee highlighting the essence of Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees’ role in local provision (‘Your voices are helping shape real change’) and expressing interest in future exploration of issues around digital exclusion.  Members were informed that work would begin with the NENC ICB in October 2025 on digital access, with alternatives for those not wanting / able to use apps being one particular focus.

AGREED that the Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees – Annual Report 2024-2025 be noted.