Annual Report 2022-23
A message from our Chief Officer
In April 2022 Wigan Borough Healthwatch CIC were successful in securing the contract to deliver Healthwatch services for a further four years.
During this year we have seen
some significant changes. In July 2022 we were extremely sad to hear of the untimely passing of one of our valued directors, Bill Greenwood OBE. Bill’s kindness and humility has been sorely missed.
In September 2022, our Chairman Mick Hodlin resigned after supporting Healthwatch for over five years. I want to thank Mick for his dedication and patience during this time and wish him well for any future endeavors.
In October 2022, our longest serving member of staff, Karen Wilson left us for pastures new. We felt the absence of Karen massively and wish her every success in her new employment.
In January 2023 we said goodbye to other directors, Elinor Halliwell and Dave Baxter. Again, I would like to thank Elinor and Dave for their positive contributions to Healthwatch during their time with us.
Our directors bring a range of skills and experience to Healthwatch, so on a more positive note I am pleased to have recruited four new directors to the Board who further strengthen our diversity. Our new Chair Dr Kathryn Drury, Ernie Rothwell, Linda Sykes and Pauline Gregory.
I am grateful to our exemplary team of staff and volunteers who are dedicated to promoting the involvement of local people, monitoring the standards of service received by local people, obtaining their views, and producing reports and intelligence to inform health and care leaders to have the greatest impact.
We continue to work with our colleagues across Greater Manchester to ensure that Wigan remains a strong voice in the new Integrated Care System Arrangements.
Collectively, the ten Local Healthwatch across Greater Manchester have worked hard to develop an All-Age Strategy and Collaborative Working Agreement to enable us to work together and provide a strong reminder of the value of the patient voice.
As the new health and care systems have started to take shape,
we have remained resolute in the delivery of our unique Healthwatch duties. Including as a critical friend to health and care leaders and supporting them as they build a stronger more integrated service.
You can read our full report by clicking the link below.
