New five-year Healthwatch Sandwell contract awarded to ECS

SANDWELL Metropolitan Borough Council has awarded the new Healthwatch Sandwell contract to existing provider Engaging Communities Solutions Community Interest Company.

This means ECS (Engaging Communities Solutions) will continue to deliver the contract they have held since 2018 and maintain the high level of support offered to local residents throughout the borough.

The Council took the retender opportunity to review the focus of the contract, with the new service contract having more focus on ensuring Healthwatch is embedded within existing frameworks and networks ensuring that it has maximum reach into, and across the diverse communities of Sandwell. Healthwatch Sandwell will continue to work in partnership with stakeholders, add value, strengthen local assets, address gaps and take a strategic approach to representing the voice of the people of residents to deliver change and improvements in health and social care services.

Elizabeth Learoyd, Managing Director of ECS said: “ECS have a wealth of experience in providing Healthwatch services in Sandwell and are committed to successfully continue these vital services in the borough.

“We are delighted to receive this new contract as we are committed to advocate and work with the residents of Sandwell. We have a full work programme to deliver this year and are particularly proud of our achievements around Diabetes and our GP showcase programme. Through our community engagement activities, data intelligence systems, Enter & View programme and our Healthwatch Champions, we continually monitor service delivery through concerns raised and feedback received. Our focus in delivering this new contract will be on co-ordinating a membership group of relevant local organisations and where possible, residents, by linking with existing infrastructure, across the voluntary and community sector and health and social care sectors, to work together to enable people’s views to be heard, along with delivering our ambitious work programme.”

“This renewal reflects the hard work that has consistently been done over the last six years to champion the views of local people and really have an impact. The work of the staff, board members, volunteers and of the entire team of Healthwatch Sandwell has been invaluable in helping to improve local health and care services during challenging times. We have a lot more work to do but we will continue to strive for the best possible health and care outcomes for Sandwell.”

Healthwatch Sandwell is the patient champion for Health and Social Care services in Sandwell.
The new contract starts on 1 October 2024 and will run for five years. The team will continue to ensure that the health and social care experiences of Sandwell people are sought out and heard, and that their needs are met. Please visit our website www.healthwatchsandwell.co.uk if you would like support or find out further about our volunteering opportunities.

Healthwatch Sandwell is delivered by Engaging Community Solutions CIC: www.weareecs.co.uk