Here's your chance to share and improve health service experiences Sunderland watchdog gathers patients' views

A team tasked with keeping a check on health services across Sunderland want to hear about first-hand experiences of care during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Healthwatch Sunderland will then gather together the opinions of Wearsiders as it acts as an independent voice for people who use the publically-funded health and social care services across the city.

It has set up an online survey which takes up to 10 minutes to complete, with a paper version available for those who do not have access to the internet.

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All answers will be kept confidential, with some anonymised quotes to be used in the finished report.

People across Wearside have been asked to give their views on the care they have been given during the coronavirus outbreak as Healthwatch Sunderland runs a survey to gather details. Image copyright Getty.People across Wearside have been asked to give their views on the care they have been given during the coronavirus outbreak as Healthwatch Sunderland runs a survey to gather details. Image copyright Getty.
People across Wearside have been asked to give their views on the care they have been given during the coronavirus outbreak as Healthwatch Sunderland runs a survey to gather details. Image copyright Getty.
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Dr John Dean, chairman of Healthwatch Sunderland, urged people to get involved, adding: “Your feedback really could help services to make life better for the people of Sunderland.

“Healthwatch Sunderland provides an independent voice for people who use publicly funded health and social care services.

“Our role is to ensure that people’s views are listened to and fed back to service providers and commissioners in order to improve services.

Dr John Dean, chairman of Healthwatch Sunderland.Dr John Dean, chairman of Healthwatch Sunderland.
Dr John Dean, chairman of Healthwatch Sunderland.
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“With these essential services facing unprecedented challenges, it is vital that we get your views during the COVID-19 pandemic on how services are being delivered, which is why we have put together this short survey.

“We will share your views and experiences of using health and social care services during the coronavirus outbreak with our local hospitals, GP Practices, community health and care services, NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, and with Sunderland City Council.

“They can then understand directly from you what is going well, but also what else you need and what could be improved in responding to coronavirus.”

The survey has been designed to gather information about health and social care services in general, however further information may be needed as Healthwatch collates the results and understand people’s experiences.

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The deadline for the questionnaire is Tuesday, June 30, and can be found by visiting http://www.healthwatchsunderland.com/ with the site also home to a page on where to find out more information about coronavirus.

Anyone who would prefer to fill in a paper copy can contact the team on (0191) 514 7145.

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