Healthwatch Newcastle and Healthwatch Gateshead provide an independent voice for people who use health and social care services in these two areas. Here, new Chief Executive Siobhan O’Neil tells us about her new role, her visions and aspirations.
Tell us about Healthwatch
The Newcastle and Gateshead Healthwatch teams are part
of an independent network that covers every local authority
area in England. We provide community engagement, research,
evaluation and assessment services within the fields of health,
wellbeing and social care. We also provide training and skills
development for our volunteers and the wider community.
As part of our statutory powers we can request information from
health and social care commissioners and providers. We’re also
able to ‘enter and view’ health and adult social care premises to
gather the experiences and views of service users, their carers
and relatives.
One of our main roles is to ensure that commissioners and
providers listen to the views of their local communities in order
to seek continuous improvements to their services. We find
out what people like about these services and what could be
improved. These views are shared with those with the power to
make change happen. We also help people find the information
they need about health and social care services in our area.
What previous experience have you had?
Most recently I was CEO at Cygnus Support, a mental health
and wellbeing charity based in Ashington, providing counselling,
coaching and wellbeing services across Northumberland. I’ve
worked in the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise
sector for much of my career and had the privilege of working
with the North East Special Needs Network, Involve North
East, Gateshead Voluntary Organisations Council and Disability
Gateshead. Prior to that I worked in social housing at both
Your Homes Newcastle and Home Group, including roles as
Neighbourhood Manager in Benwell in West of Newcastle and
heading up customer engagement.
I’d say that each of these roles has allowed me to contribute
something positive to my new position and I’m looking forward
to meeting the challenges ahead.
What attracted you to the Healthwatch role?
Looking at my career, the common thread is around ensuring
that people are involved and engaged in decisions that affect
or impact on their lives. I firmly believe that people should have
a voice and influence over the way services are designed and
delivered. In terms of Healthwatch, the attraction is the same;
gathering people’s views on health and social care services
(what’s working well and where improvements are needed) and
sharing these with organisations and services that have the remit
to make changes.
What challenges do you see for Healthwatch
during COVID-19?
The biggest challenge is making sure that we respond to
everchanging advice and guidance, and finding ways to continue
to deliver our services safely to people across Gateshead and
Newcastle without losing sight of our priority areas. From
a personal point of view, I’ve been appointed at a time when
my team are working remotely. Although Zoom and other
technologies are amazing, I miss the social interaction that
normally comes with an office-based role.
What is your vision for Healthwatch in
Newcastle and Gateshead?
That through our work listening to people and sharing their
experiences of local health and social care services we can ensure
that the services provided are the best they can be.
Due to the current pandemic, health and social care services
are being tested to the full and it’s important to maintain high
standards and seek improvements where they are needed.
Because of this, it’s vital that we engage with everyone, including
those from our diverse communities. We’re here to make sure
that all voices, views and experiences are heard by service
providers and commissioners.
I also want to build up our network of Healthwatch volunteers.
Our volunteers attend many functions and events and come from
all sorts of backgrounds. They are currently meeting regularly via
Zoom and get a great deal out of working with us, including
practical experience of teamwork and a better understanding of
health and social care provision. They also get to have fun and
make friends too. They are an invaluable part of our organisation
and crucial in helping us gather the opinions of the public.
What do you like to do out of work?
My family is very important to me and keeps me busy. I love
cooking and baking, especially trying new recipes and making
food for other people. My passion, however, is running. I’m a
member of Newcastle Frontrunners Running Club and try to run
at least three times a week. I took up running around three years
ago and recognise how beneficial it is for my mental and physical
health. A great start to Saturdays (preCOVID) is my favourite
parkrun around Saltwell Park, Gateshead.
NEW CEO WATCHES OVER HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
Healthwatch Newcastle and Healthwatch Gateshead provide an independent voice
for people who use health and social care services in these two areas. Here, new Chief
Executive Siobhan O’Neil tells us about her new role, her visions and aspirations.
How can people get in touch with Healthwatch Newcastle or Healthwatch Gateshead?
Newcastle – telephone: 0191 338 5720, email: info@healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk, website: healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk
Gateshead – telephone: 0191 477 0033, email: info@healthwatchgateshead.co.uk, website: healthwatchgateshead.co.uk