Background
South Gloucestershire acts as a consumer champion for the patients and the public of South Gloucestershire. The service hears the views of the local population and promotes the views to the relevant decision makers.
Healthwatch was created by Part 5 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012. There is a national body, Healthwatch England, and a local organisation for each local council in England with social care responsibilities, which is local Healthwatch, or in our area Healthwatch South Gloucestershire.
You can find out more about Healthwatch by viewing their reports at: https://healthwatchsouthglos.co.uk/about-us/meetings-and-reports/
Proposed Changes
Due to increasing demands on Council budgets, from April 2019 the Council is proposing to reduce Healthwatch South Gloucestershire funding by approximately 50% and jointly commission the service in partnership with Bristol City Council, and potentially North Somerset Council. This proposal is being considered as there is potential to prevent funding reductions to other services where a greater negative impact on individuals may be experienced.
The public consultation on these changes is open from 30th April 2018 until 23rd July 2018
How to find out more and have your say: https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/consult.ti/system/listConsultations?type=O