New Healthwatch Contract Awarded

A community and voluntary champion has been awarded a three year contract to run Healthwatch Staffordshire – an independent voice for the county’s residents on health and social care.

Julia Jessel, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Health and Care, said: “Healthwatch has a vital role to play in ensuring health and social care services continue to put the views and experiences of Staffordshire people at the heart of their work.

“The appointment of Support Staffordshire will build on the strong foundations, experience and relationships already in place and deliver a new Healthwatch Staffordshire service that effectively represents the views of local people on health and care services.”

The three-year contract is due to start on April 1, 2022 and was awarded after a competitive tendering process.

Garry Jones, Chief Executive of Support Staffordshire, said: “At Support Staffordshire, we have a strong track record of empowering communities to improve lives and livelihoods of individuals and families across the county. We are looking forward to working much more closely with local charities and community groups to deliver Healthwatch from 2022.

“I am delighted that the hard work, dedication and enthusiasm of all those involved in Support Staffordshire has been recognised with the award of the Healthwatch contract and look forward to working with our communities to shape health and care services to meet the needs of Staffordshire’s population.”