Healthwatch Sheffield

Every English local authority has a duty to make provisions for the delivery of Healthwatch statutory activity in their local area. This means establishing a contractual arrangement with an independent organisation that should be a social enterprise that delivers Healthwatch activity. Healthwatch are set apart from the statutory structures, voluntary and community sector they work within, as they perform public functions, deliver statutory duties and receive public funding. This is recognised in law, for instance, as Healthwatch have specific requirements under the Freedom of Information Act as well as Healthwatch legislation. Their core purpose of making sure the views of the public shape the health and care services they need, requires them to be: • Independent in purpose - amplifying the voice and experiences of the most pressing and difficult issues in health and social care. • Independent in voice - speaking up on behalf of sometimes unpopular causes or groups who are marginalised and/or face disadvantage or discrimination. • Independent in action - designing and delivering activities that best meet the needs of the people they serve. If Healthwatch are to hold others to account, they themselves must operate with integrity, accountability and transparency to have credibility with the communities they serve. Sheffield City Council (SCC) is responsible for commissioning the functions of Healthwatch in Sheffield and ensuring their delivery. SCC is seeking to commission a Healthwatch service for a 7 year period with an option to extend for an additional 2 +1 period. This specification is not prescriptive in terms of service delivery. The Provider is expected to design Healthwatch Sheffield in a way they feel best delivers the rest of the requirements, within an overall framework. However the requirements set out in the following sections need to be met.