Healthwatch Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire County Council has a statutory duty under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to commission a local Healthwatch to perform functions that enable local voices to influence and improve health and social care services. The Health and Social Care landscape has changed significantly since Healthwatch Gloucestershire first opened its doors in April 2013 and our ageing population means that more of us than ever are using these services. As the pace of change is growing, we need to find new and better ways of building on the support that people can find amongst their families, friends and communities, making better use of technology to help people remain independent and well for longer. Commissioned Healthwatch services have three roles to deliver for the effective health and social care of adults and young people in the county they represent: - a champion for improving health and social care - a watchdog and effective consumer voice to highlight issues - signposting to information and advice to help people make choices about health and care services. The new service is intended to start on 1 April 2024 for 3 years with an option to extend for a further 2 years.