ESCC-SS Healthwatch and Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service

East Sussex County Council ('the Council') intends to commission the Healthwatch and Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Services under a single contract. The role of the Healthwatch service in East Sussex is to gather the views and understand the experiences of patients, service users, carers, and the wider community including seldom heard groups. Make these views known to commissioners and Providers of health and social care. Promote and support the involvement of these groups in the commissioning and provision of local care services and how they are scrutinised. Provide information, 'signposting' for services and support to make informed choices. Recommend the undertaking of investigations or special service reviews to Healthwatch England and the Care Quality Commission (CQC); and Make the views and experiences of people known to Healthwatch England and provide a steer to help it carry out its role as national champion. The HCSA imposes a duty on Local Authorities to commission a local IHCAS. Local Authorities are required to commission the provision of assistance for individuals making or intending to make an NHS complaint (which includes a complaint to the Health Service Ombudsman). The NHS complaints process covers: All NHS Trusts and NHS Bodies including NHS Foundation Trusts. Family Health Services provided for the NHS by GPs, Dentists, Opticians or Pharmacists. Clinical Commissioning Groups. Private health care establishments if the treatment has been paid for by the NHS; and all other health services commissioned by NHS funding.