Healthwatch Richmond's annual report for 2024/25, presented to the Richmond Health and Wellbeing Board on Thursday, highlights significant improvements in local healthcare services and provides a work plan for the coming year. The report also addresses the challenges of maintaining an independent patient voice as Healthwatch transitions its responsibilities to the local authority and the Integrated Care Board (ICB). Mike Derry, Chief Officer at Healthwatch Richmond, anticipates that this transition, expected to occur within the next 6 to 18 months, could impact the organisation's local focus and the integration of health and social care services.
The report details Healthwatch Richmond's extensive engagement with the community, including outreach to diverse and underserved groups such as people from socio-economic areas of deprivation, people for whom English is an additional language or are from ethnic minority backgrounds, and older people. It also outlines the impact of seven substantive reviews undertaken by the organisation.
Key achievements noted in the report include:
- Hampton Pharmacy: The opening of a new pharmacy in Hampton to address a gap in service provision.
- Staff Recognition: Acknowledgement and appreciation of staff efforts across local healthcare providers.
- Service Improvements: Enhancements in patient safety and comfort, reduced infection risks, improved seating and cleaning, and better communication with patients.
- GP Practices: More effective allocation of funds within GP practices.
- Kingston Hospital: Recommissioning of the food provider to better meet patient needs.
The report also touched on challenges and future plans. Mike Derry, Chief Officer at Healthwatch Richmond, highlighted the importance of maintaining an independent patient voice as Healthwatch transitions its responsibilities to the local authority and the Integrated Care Board (ICB).
It does feel that the independence of patient voices is something that deserves to continue,
Derry said, emphasising the need to preserve local focus and integration across health and social care.
The Health and Wellbeing Board discussed the Healthwatch Richmond 2025/26 Work Plan, which outlines priorities for the coming year. The plan includes continued focus on carers, young carers, community nursing, and adult mental health. New priorities involve in-patient care at West Middlesex University Hospital and Kingston Hospital, as well as patient experiences of cancer care, elective care, and hospital discharge.
Healthwatch Richmond's Annual Report 2024/25 provides further details on the organisation's activities and impact.
Richmond Health and Wellbeing Board Work Programme sets out planned meetings and seminars.
