If you have experience of dementia services, then your views would be really valuable to local health and social care champions.
Healthwatch County Durham and Healthwatch Darlington are the new local consumer champions for health and social care in this region. The two organisations give children, young people and adults a powerful voice – making sure their views and experiences are heard by those who run, plan and regulate health and social care services.
Dementia is effecting an increasing proportion of the population, and the Healthwatch teams want to know what people think about the care and services they receive, for example assessment and diagnosis, or services such as chiropody or mental health support.
A simple survey is available to complete – either online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CDDDementiaSurvey or using a paper version of the questionnaire available by ringing 01325 375 960. The survey can be completed by either the dementia sufferer themself or by a family member, or their carer.
Responses are anonymous and it is not necessary to name anyone or any service provider involved. The deadline for responses to be received is 7 March 2014. The Clinical Commissioning Groups in the area are developing a new Dementia Strategy and have asked the Healthwatch organisations to gather the evidence from this survey.
By making sure the views and experiences of people who use dementia services are gathered, analysed and acted upon, Healthwatch can help make services better now and in the future. Healthwatch actively seeks views from all sections of the community, especially from those who sometimes struggle to be heard and not just from those who shout the loudest.