Meet our volunteers
Asmina Remtulla
Why you volunteer with Healthwatch?
I have been volunteering with Health Watch for a few years now, and really enjoy it. I get to meet like minded volunteers and staff and between us we have undertaken projects that I believe has made or will make a difference to patients/residents, for example podiatry and continence care.
What matters most to you in health and social care?
Issues/concerns with Podiatry and Continence can have a profound impact on someones life which can result in isolation and loneliness leading to deterioration in mental and physical health; we hope that the reports recommendations will be taken on board to improve services in the future, which will eventually save thousands of pounds and support social inclusion.
What has been your favourite project you have done with Healthwatch and why?
Through health watch, I have joined different steering groups and have provided 'resident/patient's' voice; I am very keen to ensure that the 'NHS and Social Care'' have Equality and Diversity at the heart of all health and social care provision; for example, outpatients departments have recently started offering telephone appointments, which are probably fine for a lot of patients but people with learning disabilities, hearing loss etc, etc won't necessarily cope with this and so it is vital that patients who require extra support and help are provided an appropriate service for their needs
I will continue to raise my 'concerns' at different levels and take part in different steering groups and boards and hope that the patient/resident's voice becomes part of all Health and Social Care care provision; this will help to deliver care that is relevant and personalised and in the long run will save money and improve patient experience
Of course , volunteering is very important to me, not only does it allow me to meet different people but also it helps me with own health and well being and gives me a reason to get out of bed every morning
Derrick Edgerton
Why you volunteer with Healthwatch?
To carry on with my attachment to the NHS having worked in it for 40 years.
What matters most to you in health and social care?
Timely, efficient and quality care at the time that it is needed.
What has been your favourite project you have done with Healthwatch and why?
Meal Enter & View at Barnet hospital which resulted in meal time changes. Currently working with the various STP groups I am on helping to improve and standardise treatment throughout NCL.
Diana Abramova
Why you volunteer with Healthwatch?
I originally volunteered having retired from working both in the NHS and Social Services and wanted to use my professional background and contribute where appropriate.
What matters most to you in health and social care?
I am very concerned about the enormous cuts in services and the lack of staff in some areas which I feel has brought down standards. This has led to a very big need for volunteers to monitor what is happening and try to influence those who can make changes.
What has been your favourite project you have done with Healthwatch and why?
My favourite project I have worked on was transport provision for those undergoing cancer treatment. This involved meeting some patients and services providers. It is also an issue that faces so many and one which I have had personal experience of.
Helen Andrews
Why you volunteer with Healthwatch?
Helen likes to support members of the public to ensure they receive appropriate up to date and easily accessible health and social care.
What matters most to you in health and social care?
To ensure people are respected, treated with dignity, listened to and receive compassionate health care appropriate to their needs.
What has been your favourite project you have done with Healthwatch and why?
The current project that I am involved in the Adult Elective Orthopaedic Services Review , which is an opportunity to improve healthcare for residents with standardisation across the area, better outcomes and more consistency.
Helena Pugh
Why you volunteer with Healthwatch?
Having worked in the care sector for a long time I feel volunteering with Healthwatch is a good use of my knowledge and skills. As an Enter and View volunteer I like the opportunity to visit care homes to highlight good practice as well as to identify where improvements are needed within a short time frame if necessary.
What matters most to you in health and social care?
I am motivated by my desire to support improvement in the quality of local health and social care services. Collecting reliable and valid evidence, as volunteers do, is crucial as it can then be used to influence the commissioning of appropriate services for residents.
What has been your favourite project you have done with Healthwatch and why?
During 2016-2018 I was involved in the home care project which researched the views of local people receiving home care, home care providers and home carers themselves. Having the opportunity to look at home care from all angles was satisfying and hopefully the report is being used to shape current services.
Lyn Tobin
Why you volunteer with Healthwatch?
I became involved with Healthwatch because I hoped to make a difference to primary care.
What matters most to you in health and social care?
I would like to see social care become more streamlined with less managers and more hands on practitioners.
What has been your favourite project you have done with Healthwatch and why?
I completed a survey on dental surgeries within the borough of Barnet and was surprised to learn how few now operated under the national health services.
Stewart Block
Why you volunteer with Healthwatch?
I have benefited from the NHS over the years and want to put something back. Healthwatch gives me the opportunity to help improve our local services in Barnet. An opportunity to help clinical staff/administrators help us.
What matters most to you in health and social care?
To ensure that patient/career feedback is taken into account at an early stage. To develop the clinician/patient relationship as a partnership.
What has been your favourite project you have done with Healthwatch and why?
Our simple flow-chart setting out the Barnet RMS System. Helps put control back into the hands of patients – they now know what to do if they don’t get a timely appointment.
Sue Blain
Why you volunteer with Healthwatch?
I volunteer with HW as I really feel I can make a difference.
What matters most to you in health and social care?
What matters most is improving NHS services for patients
What has been your favourite project you have done with Healthwatch and why?
My favourite is the current Winter Pressures Leaflet (as that is my project)
Tina Stanton
Why you volunteer with Healthwatch?
Having worked in Health for 25 years I was interested in keeping a connection with this and using my experience to benefit the community.
What matters most to you in health and social care?
Helping to promote good practice and to support people to have the best outcomes and to manage their day-to-day lives
What has been your favourite project you have done with Healthwatch and why?
I like visiting care homes and chatting to residents, hoping to make suggestions for improvements that will improve the residents’ day-to-day lives.
