Unlocking the power of people-driven care: Healthwatch Kingston annual report 2024-2025

Once again, everyone involved can be proud of our collective work. Between April 2024 and March 2025, Healthwatch Kingston engaged over 7,000 people at community events and through surveys. Our website has provided quality information and signposting to over 16,500 different people. Our social media messaging has reached tens of thousands. We’ve independently listened to over 1,000 local experiences of health and social care services, including from the most vulnerable, often digitally excluded communities. And, we have used our statutory service role to communicate the voices of patients, service users and the public to those with the power to make a difference.

Government plans to abolish Healthwatch. As we publish this report, we face manipulative rhetoric in the press, with our work being portrayed as, ‘wasteful spending and bureaucracy’.

While the transition of local Healthwatch functions are being determined, we will continue to work to make a difference, championing local voices to improve services and reduce health and care inequalities in our community. Thank you again for helping us deliver your Healthwatch Kingston. We certainly value your involvement in our work.

We hope you will enjoy reading our Annual Report 2024-2025: 'Unlocking the power of people-driven care'.