A key role of Healthwatch Cumberland is to champion the views of people who access health and care services in Cumberland, seeking to ensure that their experiences help make things better.
Under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, Healthwatch Cumberland has the powers to carry out Enter and View visits. This means that Healthwatch representatives can attend health and care facilities, with or without advanced notice, to witness services being delivered and speak to patients about the care they are receiving. We are completely impartial and independent of the NHS and councils.
Using these powers, Healthwatch Cumberland will be visiting hospitals in Cumberland over the next two weeks to engage with patients, families and staff.
When are the visits?
Our officers will carry out Enter and View visits at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle on:
- Monday June 12
- Tuesday June 13
- Wednesday June 14
We will then visit West Cumberland Hospital on:
- Monday June 19
- Tuesday June 20
- Wednesday June 21
Healthwatch Cumberland will also have a stand in the main entrance of the hospitals on the day of our visits.
More about enter and view
Enter and Views are not inspections but are an exciting opportunity to gather the experiences of people at the heart of health care in our area and be a way to share good practice and help the NHS to identify areas for improvement.
All feedback collected will be anonymous, and the findings will be written up into a report, with a series of recommendations.
Getting involved
If you, or someone you know is at either hospital on the dates above, come and chat to our team. We’ll be there to hear your views.
Alternatively, if you have accessed either hospital’s services recently, but won’t be at the hospitals to speak to us, you can complete our online survey here.
This survey is for patients, relatives and staff members to fill out and share their experiences and views. Together we can influence change.