Healthwatch can now help find you the right support from NHS Responders
We can help those who are vulnerable and need to be shielded get shopping or medicine delivered, find transport to appointments or ensure anyone feeling alone can have a friendly chat.
Everyone get the help they need
Our team at Healthwatch South Glos is now putting those who are vulnerable or at higher risk in touch with NHS Responders after becoming an official referring organisation. The scheme, being delivered by NHS England and NHS Improvement in partnership with Royal Voluntary Service, is designed to complement existing Covid-19 response organisations that are currently working in our area – so everyone can get the help and support they need.
Our team will put callers in touch with friendly responders who have been given four set tasks;-
Community Response Volunteer: Collecting shopping, medication or other essential supplies for someone who is self-isolating/vulnerable and taking it to their home.
Patient Transport Volunteer: Providing transport to patients who are medically fit for discharge, as well as taking patients to their essential appointments.
NHS Transport Volunteer: This role involves transporting equipment, supplies and/or medication between NHS services and sites and helping pharmacies with medication delivery.
Check in and Chat Volunteer: Chatting to individuals who are at risk of loneliness due to weeks of self-isolation.
All NHS responders have been identity checked and only DBS checked volunteers will be sent to the very vulnerable who need more contact, such as taking people to health appointments. These volunteers will also be required to wear face masks to minimise risks. The NHS Responder will discuss the safest payment options in cases of shopping or prescription deliveries but will always show their ID and minimise contact by putting items in a box or bag. They will NEVER be a need to enter homes.
It is very good news that Healthwatch, a statutory service which gathers feedback from patients about health and social care, has an important part to play in crisis support during Covid-19. There are many volunteers in our area signed up and ready to help and we are keen to find the most vulnerable in our community who will benefit.
