Rutland County Council has awarded the contract for providing Healthwatch services in Rutland to Connected Together Community Interest Company (CTCIC) from 1st April 2018. Current Healthwatch services have been run by Healthwatch Rutland Community Interest Company since 2014. CTCIC already provide successful Healthwatch Services in Northamptonshire alongside other local contracts.
We intend to continue with a local service in Rutland to ensure that Rutland people continue to be provided with an excellent Healthwatch that successfully represents them and their needs. This will mean “Business as Usual” for Rutland. The public will continue to receive the same services run out of Oakham by locally based staff and volunteers.
Jennifer Fenelon, Chair of Healthwatch Rutland Community Interest Company said: “We are delighted to be working with our colleagues in Northants to continue providing a high-quality service to Rutland people. We believe that Healthwatch will benefit from the greater resources they can bring to support our community“
Professor Will Pope, Chair of Connected Together Community Interest Company said:
“Rutland is a very special county and it is vital that its voice is heard by those who make decisions. We will be delighted to continue and expand the excellent Healthwatch work which we know is greatly appreciated by Rutland’s community “
The new contract will come into force on 1st April 2018 and run for three years with an option to extend to six years.
About Local Healthwatch
Healthwatch Rutland is the independent consumer champion for health and social care, representing the patient and public’s voice in Rutland. It helps to shape and improve local health and social care for local people and their communities. Healthwatch Rutland is part of the Healthwatch national network, established by the Government to ensure local patients and users have a greater input to shaping and designing local services. To find out more and to become a member go to www.healthwatchrutland.co.uk
About Connected Together CIC
Connected Together Community Interest Company (CTCIC) is a social enterprise and a partnership between the University of Northampton and Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire. The CTCIC was originally commissioned by Northamptonshire County Council to deliver the role and functions of Healthwatch in Northamptonshire. Healthwatch Northamptonshire remains a key contract for CTCIC, with additional contracts running alongside this. CTCIC operates as the organisational hub behind these contracts, enabling joint working and access to knowledge and resources. To find out more please go to www.connectedtogether.co.uk
About Healthwatch England
Healthwatch England is the independent consumer champion for health and social care in England. The organisation has independent statutory powers, as stated in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, to ensure the consumer’s voice is heard and best practice is delivered in health and social care nationally. Healthwatch is also focused on providing leadership, guidance and support to the development of the Healthwatch network. To find out more please go to www.healthwatch.co.uk