New provider for Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin service

The board that has run Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin for a decade will not be having its contract renewed, the watchdog's chair revealed.

Both Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Council spoke of their intentions to re-tender contracts for the local Healthwatch last year.

Now, Telford & Wrekin have awarded the tender to Walsall-based company, Engaging Communities Solutions.

Current chairman of Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin (HWT&W), Barry Parnaby, spoke of his disappointment over the loss of the contract with the borough council.

Mr Parnaby said: "We've very disappointed, it's soul-destroying. Especially with what's going on at the moment with health and social care, we feel it's bad timing.

"We have done so much work over the last ten years, and we thought we were best placed to provide that continuity of support to the public."

In a letter to Healthwatch's partners addressing the change, Mr Parnaby and vice chair David Bell spoke of the organisations accomplishment's over the last decade.

They said: "We are obviously sad that we have lost this service after ten successful years of providing information and advice, engaging widely with the local community, undertaking visits from care homes, hospital wards, GP practices and more, writing reports, undertaking surveys and research into local health and care issues and seeking to resolve concerns and service complaints.

"Our board and team have attended a wide range of statutory meetings to provide feedback on local views and help decisions to improve the delivery of services.

"This included all stages of the Future Fit process and Hospital Transformation Programme. At all times we continue to fight for the interest of our community.

"All engaged with HWT&W are proud of our services and as individuals we will continue our involvement to assist with the current NHS crisis and the efforts to improve all aspects of the local services including ambulance waits, A&E pressures, pressure on beds and wards, waiting times and for all in discharges and community care.

"We wish every success to all in the tasks ahead and the constant quest for the improvement of all health and care delivery to all in our local community."

Mr Parnaby said they were working hard to support their staff find new roles, who were all on fixed-term contracts until March 31.

Simon Fogell, Chief Executive of Engaging Communities said: “From April 2023 when we take over the contract, we will work hard to build on the great work that has already been achieved by the current provider and focus on implementing and delivering our plan for the contract to maximise the impact Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin can have.

"We will work with the public, voluntary and community groups, Telford & Wrekin Council and the local health and care sector, to make sure that Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin is an effective and representative champion for local people.”

A spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council said: “We can confirm that from April 2023, Engaging Communities Solutions (ECS) will take over the delivery of Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin.

"This is the result of a stringent tender process, that the current Healthwatch team has also been part of.

"ECS have a wealth of experience in providing Healthwatch services across the country and are committed to successfully continue the Healthwatch service in our borough, championing issues important to our residents.

"Over the past ten years, the work of the board members and of the entire team of Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin has been invaluable in helping to improve local health and care services during challenging times."