This month, we held one of our twice-yearly Board of Trustees meetings that underscore the importance of governance and our commitment to transparency and accountability. These meetings were pivotal in keeping us aligned with our mission to serve patients, the public, stakeholders and commissioners. We also met with Commissioners from Westmorland and Furness Council.
Board of Trustees meeting: Key highlights
Our Healthwatch public Board of Trustees meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on our achievements from April to November 2024, address challenges and set our sights on the year ahead. These twice-yearly gatherings are essential in ensuring we stay on track, guided by strong governance and our dedication to public accountability. Trustees are instrumental in overseeing our work, ensuring we uphold the highest standards of integrity and effectiveness.
Community engagement and key projects
Between April and November 2024, we engaged with over 3,000 individuals across Barrow, Eden and South Lakes, cementing our commitment to community involvement.
Notable projects included our focus on women’s health and the Adult Autism Pathways initiative, where we partnered with the National Autistic Society Furness Branch and Team Autism to advocate for better diagnostic pathways and support for autistic adults. Our co-production approach in this project received praise as a potential model for other agencies.
Goals for 2025 and beyond
Looking ahead, we’ve set ambitious goals for 2025, including:
- Expanding our volunteer base, particularly in Eden
- Hosting events designed to involve stakeholders, patients and marginalised communities in shaping our future plans
In response to growing concerns, we are prioritising critical issues such as the lack of neurology services in South Cumbria and improving access to NHS dentistry.
Commitment to proactive and collaborative work
Manager Kate highlighted the importance of maintaining a proactive approach to patient needs and embedding quality processes into everything we do:
“Our focus remains on partnership working and making a real difference in the lives of people in Westmorland and Furness,” she said.
Trustee support and future progress
The Trustees expressed their support for the progress we’ve made and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring Healthwatch remains a trusted voice for the community.
Building strong partnerships with commissioners
We also met with our Commissioners from Westmorland and Furness Council, keeping them informed with updates and transparent reporting. This partnership helps us stay focused on our core mission to speak for patients and users of social care, creates opportunities for collaboration and ensures our engagement efforts truly reflect the needs of our communities.