WSCC AE Local Healthwatch and Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service - AWARD

The Council is seeking a Service Provider to provide a Local Healthwatch & Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service across the county of West Sussex.

Local Healthwatch (LHW) in West Sussex will be the Independent Consumer Champion for all local residents. This is achieved by recording and reviewing residents experience the quality of Health Care and of Social Care in their local authority area. LHW will also provide information and advice to the public about accessing health and social care services and choice in relation to those services.

In addition, an Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service (IHCAS) will support individuals to access information and Independent Advocacy if they need help to complain about NHS services. IHCAS will support people who have a complaint about any aspect of healthcare as set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, including that which falls under the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO).

Local Healthwatch in West Sussex will reach out across the whole of the county area and bring together peoples' views and experiences to improve health and social care. It will be well led, professionally managed and organized, will be built on existing knowledge & activities using partnerships and collaborations to provide high quality services. The service will be well known, independent, accessible, influential, respected and trusted by local people, decision-makers and service providers