The development of Local Healthwatch in Kent Part one: key findings

Methods
Stage One: Developing an overall structure
Following consultation with the multi-stakeholder Kent Local Healthwatch
Development Group the project team captured a full range of possible areas
and questions relevant to the assessment. It was apparent from an early
stage that the topic of K LHW generated a lot of queries and issues for local
people and organisations and it was important to be able to place a structure
around these. It was also clear that key terms such as ‘information’ and
‘choice’ had different interpretations for people so it was essential to have a
method that would enable participants to share their understanding and vision
for what K LHW meant to them. This was written up as an assessment format
for the project and through an iterative process new issues and questions
were added. The format ensured that important issues could be held in
one place and addressed as the project developed. 11 broad themes were
identified from this work:
1. Vision for K LHW
2. LINks experience and learning relevant to the transition to K LHW
3. Function 1 of K LHW: a consumer champion
4. Function 2 of K LHW: information and signposting to support choice
5. Function 3 of K LHW: complaint advocacy services
6. Collecting intelligence and working with HWE
7. Alignment with partners – relationships, data and processes
8. Organisational form
9. Operational issues
10. Development
11. Commissioning and procurement
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The development of Local Healthwatch in Kent: assessing readiness for Local Healthwatch