The independent voice for patients and social care users, Healthwatch Kent is bringing its high profile tour of the county to the University of Kent the on 8th June, parking its double decker Big Red Bus on the Piazza outside the Jarman Building for the morning. They are inviting everyone to jump on board and share their experiences of local health and social care services, good and bad.
The mobile campaign – which pit-stops in every Kent district between 8th – 14th June – aims to gather as many experiences of services as possible from all over the county. Healthwatch Kent will use those experiences to help improve health and social care services for the future.
Visitors to the bus can learn about Healthwatch Kent’s current projects, such as a report into the issues faced by mental health carers, improving access to services on behalf of the Eastern European population of East Kent, and their free helpline and signposting service.
Chief Executive, Healthwatch Kent, Steve Inett says, “As a relatively young consumer organisation, this initiative is all about letting people know who we are and what we can do for them. For our health and social care services to improve we need to shout about our experiences – this is the only way those that deliver, and ultimately pay for, those services in Kent will know what needs to be kept and what needs to change.”
The Big Red Bus will be on site from 09.00 – 13.00 and welcomes testimonials concerning the entire spectrum of health and social care, from antenatal and paediatrics to A&E, mental health, residential and nursing homes and dementia care.
Anyone unable to attend in person can call the free Information and Signposting Service on 0808 801 0102 or email info@healthwatchkent.co.uk. Healthwatch Kent is also represented at Citizen Advice Bureaux countywide.