Find out how Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire can help you by watching this video

Our aim is to improve health and social care services in Central Bedfordshire.

To do this we need your feedback about local GP surgeries, hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, opticians, social care, emergency care and community based health teams. With this, we are able to inform, liaise, influence and, if necessary, challenge decisions and plans.

For all of this, we need your help!

Please help us by sharing your experiences of all or any of these services by clicking on the button below.

Tell us when things are going well and when they’re not, so we can do something about it.

Do You Use Community Health Services?

Since April 2018, Community Health Services across Bedfordshire have been delivered jointly by East London Foundation Trust (ELFT) and Cambridge Community Services (CSC).

Community Health Services cover ‘cradle-to-grave’ services that many of us take for granted. They provide a wide range of care, from supporting patients to manage their long-term conditions, to treating those who are seriously ill with complex conditions. Most community healthcare takes place in people’s homes. Teams of nurses and therapists co-ordinate care, working with other healthcare professionals.

Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire would like to hear about your experience of community health services; which service you accessed, promptness of service delivery and how you would rate your experience of the service.

Please take part in our short survey (this should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete) which closes at the end of November 2019, so please make sure your voice is heard. All responses will be anonymous.

Results of the survey will be shared with the providers and commissioners of Community Health Services, to ensure service improvement. Please click on the link to the survey below to take part:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/PJX2DMX

If you would like to receive any further information or a hard copy of the survey, please contact Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire direct on 0300 303 8554 or by email to info@healthwatch-centralbedfordshire.org.uk. Alternatively, call the office on 0300 303 8554 and a member of staff will be happy to assist you to complete the survey.

Celebrating older people and the contribution they make to society

Central Bedfordshire residents are invited to come and join in a celebration linked to International Day of Older Persons. The event is taking place on 4^th October 2019 at the Rufus Centre, Steppingley Road, Flitwick, MK45 1AH, from 10.00 – 14.30.

Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire is hosting the Full of Life Festival for Older People, in partnership with East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT), Grand Union Housing, Central Bedfordshire Council, Flitwick Town Council, Shefford Town Council, Campton and Chicksands Parish Council, Young Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire, and Grand Union’s residents group ROAR.

High Sheriff of Bedfordshire – Meryl Dolling will be opening this special event, now in it’s 7^th year.

As well as being a fun social event, this is also an opportunity for older people, families and carers to receive information about health, social care and housing services available locally and how to access them.

FREE Entry, Lunch, Refreshments and Entertainment.

Our wellbeing room will be offering complementary therapies and treatments on the day.

Please share with colleagues, friends and family. This event is open to everyone, young at heart, mind and body.

For further details, or if you need help with transport, please call 0300 303 8554, or drop us a line at info@healthwatch-centralbedfordshire.org.uk

Our Young Healthwatch volunteers have been busy working on a number of projects since they came together almost a year ago. They have also recently received appropriate ‘Enter & View’ training and are keen to put their learning into practice by visiting health and social care services such as hospital wards, surgeries and care homes. The young people will then be able to report their findings from their unique perspective. If you would like a group of young Healthwatch volunteers to visit your service please contact Amy.Eymor@healthwatch-centralbedfordshire.org.uk.

There is a lot more information on the Young Healthwatch website, including the great achievement of one of our volunteers who has secured a fantastic apprenticeship with Cancer Research UK.

If you are under 25, why not consider becoming a member of Young Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire? Get in touch for more information.