Who we are and what we do
Healthwatch Darlington is your local independent health and social care champion. If you use GPs and hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, care homes or other support services, we want to hear about your experiences. As an independent organisation delivering statutory duties, we have the power to make sure NHS leaders and other decision makers listen to your feedback and improve standards of care.
We use your feedback to better understand the challenges facing the NHS and other care providers locally to make sure your experiences improve health and care services for everyone. We can also help you to get the information you need to make the right decisions for you and to get the support you deserve.
It’s really important that you share your experiences – whether good or bad, happy or sad. If you’ve had a negative experience, it’s easy to think there’s no point in complaining, and that ‘nothing ever changes’. Or, if you’ve had a great experience, that you ‘wish you could say thank you’. Remember, your feedback is helping to improve people’s lives. So if you need support, or you’re ready to tell your story – we’re here to listen.
We’re entirely independent and impartial, and any information you share with us is confidential.
Information and Signposting:
Healthwatch Darlington can help you to find the right services you need through our information and signposting service. We can provide information about the services that are available to you - helping you to make the right choices.
Influence:
We gather the views and opinions of the local community and see what is good about the services they use, as well as what they think is bad or concerning as well. We tell providers what you think about their service, and we also tell the people who pay for your services what you think about them, and what your experiences were. We pass on our finding to the Care Quality Commission and Healthwatch England. Where possible, we will let you know when changes are planned to services in our community and help you have a say. We will also encourage those in charge of local care to involve you when changes are being planned to services.
How do I benefit from what Healthwatch does?
- You can speak to us about what you think of local services – good or bad.
- We are interested in everybody’s views, from all parts of the community.
- You can speak to us to find information about health and social care services available locally.
Have your say
Tell us your experience of health and social care services and help make care better.
Advice and information
Find out about more about how we can help you access the support you need to live well.
Our Board
Find out more about our Board.
Our staff
Meet our staff and volunteers.