Social Care leaders in Essex have joined Healthwatch Essex in promoting how people can more easily access the services they need in the county.
A 2016 report by Healthwatch Essex found that pathways to negotiating residential care were a ‘maze’. The study pulled together fascinating examples of ‘lived experience’ of those seeking to place someone in residential care who could no longer be care for at home. The findings identified how difficult it was to obtain easy-to-understand information and recommended that better signposting be put in place.
Healthwatch Essex, this week, joined leaders from within social care in Essex to promote Healthwatch Essex’s Information and Signposting Team – a small team who can confidentially support people through the care maze.
Dr David Sollis, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Essex, said: “As a result of the report, we created a series of films which bring to life the real stories of people in our county. This week we will be in High Chelmer Shopping Centre all week, helping to raise awareness of our Information and Signposting Service. People who are trying to navigate the care maze, or any other issue within health and social care, needn’t be alone. We have an excellent team who are on hand to provide help in finding the right services for your particular circumstances.”
Healthwatch Essex Information and Signposting team can help people access, understand and navigate the health and social care system. Anyone can call the confidential telephone information line for the cost of a local call. The number is 0300 500 1895 and it is open Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.
The Care Maze report and films can be found in our Library.