We have been developing a network to support the local ethnic minority community in Torbay’s public, private and community sector, working alongside the Torbay Racism Review Panel. Currently funded by Torbay Council and supported by Devon and Somerset Fire Service and Devon Police, it launched in September 2021 and to date has 10 members from … Continued
An NHS supported consultation has been launched to find out the effect not being able to use video consultations is having on patients in Devon. In recent years, health, care, wellbeing and community support services such as hospitals have had to introduce a ‘digital’ way for the public to use their service. This may have … Continued
Pat Harris is Chief Executive of Engaging Communities South West (ECSW) and Strategic Lead for our Healthwatch (HW) in Devon Plymouth and Torbay Project: “Welcome to my first ECSW blog for 2022. I’d like to begin by thanking all health & social care staff, carers, VSCE volunteers and members of the community who have … Continued
A network of local organisations brought together during the pandemic is working together to offer coordinated support for local people with their digital needs and enquiries. The ‘Torbay Digital Inclusion Network’ consists of many local organisations from the local statutory, voluntary and business sector, including Torbay Council, the local NHS and voluntary, community and charity … Continued
Last year, Engaging Communities South West were asked to develop a new Network to supporting the ethnic minority community in Torbay’s public, private and community sector, working alongside the newly formed Torbay Racism Review Panel. The initial funding for this was provided by Torbay Council and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. In September … Continued
New films featuring Devon’s Vaccine Ambassadors, are being launched today to offer encouragement and reassurance to people from communities across the county who are not yet fully vaccinated. Feedback from community leaders in early 2020 suggested that trusted voices would be important in encouraging uptake of the vaccine among diverse communities. As a result, NHS … Continued
A local community project designed to support care homes and their residents to use smart interactive technology has been launched in Torbay and South Devon. Digital Health Devon is an award-winning, NHS-supported e-learning tool which was created to show people how to access local health, social care and wellbeing services using the internet. It is … Continued
Donations made to support the NHS during the COVID 19 pandemic are reaching local communities across the county. Eight local organisations – including our Digital Health Devon project – are receiving a share of £534,639 allocated to Devon as part of the NHS Charities Together Community Partnership Grants Programme – formed as a result of … Continued
Local Healthwatch organisations were established as fully independent consumer champions run by local people, for local people. We are part of a national network of Local Healthwatch that was set up under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Healthwatch England is the national body for Healthwatch, working with the network of 152 local Healthwatch … Continued
A new report produced by Engaging Communities South West has highlighted local people’s experiences with using digital or internet services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Torbay Digital Inclusion Feedback Report was produced for a partnership of local organisations, including Torbay Council, the local NHS and voluntary, community and charity groups, who wanted to know … Continued
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