Following a competitive tendering process, Newton Aycliffe-based charity the Pioneering Care Partnership has been awarded a contract to continue to deliver Healthwatch for the people of Stockton.
The award-winning charity, which also oversees Healthwatch County Durham, Sunderland and South Tees (Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland), has been delivering in the area since 2013, so the continuation of the contract is testament to the fantastic work which has been carried out over the years.
PCP chief executive Carol Gaskarth said: “In the tender we set out what we would do over the course of the contract and also how we would mobilise Healthwatch, even as the current provider.
“When preparing our response, we were able to easily demonstrate the tangible difference Healthwatch has made to the lives of people living in the area, through our service delivery.
“This is as a result of the excellent work of the Board, staff and volunteers and it is a testament of the clear leadership shown by current Board Chair at Healthwatch Stockton on Tees, Peter Smith, and his predecessor, Anne Sykes, to whom I am extremely grateful.”
PCP’s continued involvement will mean that the Stockton team continue their work from Catalyst House on Yarm Road until 30th September 2024.
Like all Healthwatch teams across the country, they will continue listen to local people’s health and social care issues and work with the NHS, health care providers and care homes to alleviate issues and build on the services offered by local practitioners.
In addition, there will be scope to build on their successful Stockton-on-Tees Community Champions project and information and signposting offer, and there are plans to carry out work on a new communications and corporate social responsibility strategy.
Natasha Judge, project lead for Healthwatch Stockton, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Healthwatch England, our Board, team and partners over the last seven years.
“Despite the challenges we have faced I have witnessed first-hand the commitment and dedication from our peers and partners to continually strive to achieve robust collaboration, ensuring the continued development and improvement of health and social care services across the borough and our local areas.
“I look forward to continuing this journey, working with the public ensuring their voices are heard as we move through a period of change looking to improve future service delivery.”