Board Meeting Minutes March 2025

Healthwatch Barking & Dagenham – Board Meeting Summary

1. Welcome & Previous Minutes

• Members introduced themselves.
• Previous minutes confirmed as accurate; all actions completed.

2. General Updates (MM)

• Staff change: PK has left; recruitment pending.
• +1 funding secured for next year.
• Social care project shortlisted for a national award.
• Healthwatch England visited and showed strong interest in current work.
• Multiple projects wrapping up, including bowel cancer screening and care home visits.
• Annual planning to begin soon.
• Posters are now live across transport locations.

3. Women’s Health Report (AP)

• Report published; responses received from NHS bodies.
• Key issues: menstrual health, pregnancy, contraception, cultural stigma.
• 40% reported serious daily impact.
• Recommendations include better GP support and culturally sensitive care.
• Actions: Press release and political engagement to push for improvements.
• Members shared personal stories highlighting poor care and lack of empathy in maternity services.

4. London Ambulance Service Project

• 45 survey responses collected; focus group planned.
• Project includes support for recent mothers, cultural needs, and service handovers.

5. Forward Planning

• WhatsApp group to be created for project ideas.
• Suggestions: adult social care, women’s health hub visits, elderly care in hospitals, blood testing service concerns, and temporary housing health needs.
• Board to review report recommendations and contribute ideas.
• Proposed social media campaign using women’s health testimonials.

6. AOB

• Future meeting dates to be shared.