Healthwatch represents the views of people in Hertfordshire for health and social care services. We are an independent body and have been given powers by central government to make sure that the people’s voice gets heard, and to act as a ‘critical friend’ to organisations that provide health and social care.
The people who pay for services (called commissioners) such as the Clinical Commissioning Groups
Health and social care providers like the NHS and County Council.
– We help people to find information about local care and health services by letting them know what they can do, or, if we can’t, by putting them in touch with someone who can.
– We want to find out what’s happened to those who are finding it difficult to make use of services, or who have trouble making a complaint.
Our work also involves working with the commissioners to:
– We aim to help commissioners to plan and design services making sure that the views, experiences and needs of patients, carers and users are listened to.
– We highlight where services are doing well and also where they can be improved. We carry out visits to services to see how well they are working.
Healthwatch Hertfordshire is made up of membership from all across the county who work towards ensuring that we are an effective voice for everyone who lives here. More specifically, the strategic decisions for the organisation are made by our board, a group of volunteers with skills and experience vital to the running of Healthwatch Hertfordshire. These are then translated into the operational policies, carried out by a small team of paid staff.
Geoff brings extensive experience working with and within local government, having been head of Hertfordshire County Council Performance Improvement, which included the Equality Diversity team. He was also the long-serving chairman of Crossroads Care Hertfordshire North, a carers support charity. Having a Chief Executive with an in depth knowledge of local government systems, in addition to knowing the possible difficulties of accessing local health and social care services, has meant that Healthwatch Hertfordshire have been able to build strong ties at all levels with Hertfordshire’s service providers.
Tom has spent his career working within health and social care, having held several positions at Hertfordshire County Council as well as a joint post with the Clinical Commissioning Groups. He has worked on several large transformation programmes including the
Tom has spent his career working within health and social care, having held several positions at Hertfordshire County Council as well as a joint post with the Clinical Commissioning Groups. He has worked on several large transformation programmes including the Care Act, the Integrated Care Programme and Your Care Your Future, but has also led on service user feedback and collecting and analysing data. Partnership working has been fundamental to these roles and Tom has spent most of his career building relationships with statutory bodies, third sector organisations, and sub-contracted providers within the public sector.
After completing her History degree at Bangor University, Alice spent six months volunteering at a Wellbeing Centre in East London before being taken on by Healthwatch Hertfordshire. She brings a real interest in health and social care, and a great willingness to help all the members of staff while in her post. In her free time she enjoys learning languages and reading and writing fantasy novels—when the mood strikes her.
After gaining several Business and Office qualifications while bringing up her family, Sharon worked for 2 years within the Alzheimer’s Society as a Service Administrator for ‘Singing for the Brain.
Sharon joined Healthwatch in 2013 as a temporary Administration Assistant to help facilitate the office relocation to Douglas Tilbe House.
Priya’s role involves helping with the enquiries we receive from the people who get in touch to share their experiences of health and social care, and providing them with further information. With a background interning in a number of charities,
Priya’s role involves helping with the enquiries we receive from the people who get in touch to share their experiences of health and social care, and providing them with further information. With a background interning in a number of charities, whilst also studying social research and human rights, she has also been able to take on specific projects that have required specialised knowledge. In addition she also facilitates the Sensory and Physical Disability Working group. Priya spends what little spare time she has daydreaming about taking up a hobby.
With these personal observations, accumulated knowledge and a drive to improve patient experience across the board, Eve has resolved to work together with Healthwatch to influence improvements helping sufferers and officials alike to move forward to the possibility of something better.
Eve has had a varied career in business at director and managing director level and is involved in a regional role with the charity ReThink.
Alan has lived in St Albans for over 60 years; he and his wife Wendy, have two children and they especially enjoy the company of their four grand-children – all of whom live in Hertfordshire.
Maryrose is eager to support the mission and vision of Healthwatch Hertfordshire, act as a catalyst to ensure the voice of the community is heard on health and social care matters and keen to apply her business knowledge within the organisation, as appropriate.
Since ‘retiring’ in 2010 Meg has been working as a volunteer in the Acute Admission Unit at a local hospital and is a committee member of the Patient Participation Group at her local GP practice.
He is a trustee of the British Liver Trust, Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and a Forum Member of the Royal Society of Medicine. Brian currently chairs the Herts Healthwatch Strategy sub-Committee and is an observer of the Board of Herts Valley Clinical Commissioning Group.
