Healthwatch Rochdale marks 10-year anniversary

Healthwatch Rochdale, the borough's independent healthcare watchdog, marked its 10-year anniversary on 1 April 2023.

Healthwatch Rochdale is a subgroup of Healthwatch England, a statutory body which works to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use health and social care services – and to speak out on their behalf in order to improve said services.

Healthwatch was set up nationally in 2013 to make sure local people can have a say in their local health and social care services.

To celebrate their anniversary, Healthwatch Rochdale has recognised the efforts of people who have worked with them to improve care and dubbed them the Healthwatch Rochdale #HealthwatchHeros.

The Healthwatch Heroes have championed change over the last ten years, which the group says has resulted in ‘better care for everyone’.

They are:

Margaret Parker, chair of the board

Margaret’s leadership and support has ensured Healthwatch has fulfilled statutory obligations whilst ensuring local people continue to have a voice as the health and social care landscape changes.

Ben Greenwood, vice chair

Ben is a long-serving consistent board member and stepped in as interim chair, ensuring Healthwatch received continued leadership, support and direction.

Karen Kelland, advisory group chair

Karen has been an integral part of Healthwatch Rochdale’s successful Enter and View programme in care homes and oversaw the beginning of Healthwatch Rochdale’s Advisory Group.

Elizabeth Crompton, Youthwatch member

Elizabeth has helped to give the young people of Rochdale a voice in health and care services. She has been a committed and valuable member of Youthwatch and shares feedback from other community organisation she is involved in.

A spokesperson for Healthwatch Rochdale added: “We also want to thank the health and care services that have worked alongside us to make health and social care better.

“Thank you for taking the time to listen to people’s experiences, the good, and the bad and for ensuring your service better meets the needs of local people.”