Healthwatch Dorset is an independent statutory body with the power to make sure that NHS leaders and other decision makers listen to public feedback and use it to improve standards of care. Healthwatch Dorset also helps local people find information and advice about local services to help them get the care and support they need to stay healthy and well. It is part of a network of over 150 local Healthwatch across England.
Evolving Communities is a community interest company which specialises in gathering and reporting people’s views and experiences of health and social care to help drive and guide improvements in services. The company has extensive experience of delivering independent local Healthwatch on behalf of local authorities and has been running Healthwatch Dorset for five years, as well as several other local Healthwatch and Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnerships in Devon, Somerset and Cornwall.
Under the management of Evolving Communities, Healthwatch Dorset has become a trusted consumer champion for health and social care, reporting on feedback from over 7,700 local people and providing information and advice to more than 6,600 residents.
They have highlighted a wide range of issues and influenced positive changes in health and care services, locally and nationally, including most recently, young people’s mental health services, access to urgent and emergency care, support for carers with a loved one in hospital, access to NHS dentistry, and support for vulnerable communities, including those who are experiencing homelessness and food poverty.
Lucie Woodruff, CEO of Evolving Communities, said: “We are extremely proud of the quality of the Healthwatch services we run, and delighted to have retained the contract to work in Dorset. We look forward to building on our work with local people and partners, including voluntary and community groups, local Councils, and health and social care organisations, to make sure Healthwatch Dorset is an effective and representative champion for local people. We want everyone to be involved in the conversation about health and social care to make sure local services understand how to meet the needs of our diverse communities.”
Jon Price, Dorset Council Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Housing, said: “I am pleased that Evolving Communities has retained the Healthwatch contract following a competitive tender process. The organisation has a good track record of supporting residents across a range of important health and social care issues, and I look forward to helping them build on this success and supporting the ongoing development of this service.”
Find out more about the projects that Evolving Communities is involved with.
Find out more about the work of Healthwatch Dorset in its latest Annual Report 2023-24.
Keep up to date with Healthwatch Dorset’s activities by signing up for regular news updates.
You can also share your views and experiences of Dorset’s health and care services.