HILLINGDON was a winner from a record 170 at the annual Healthwatch Network awards.

It won the award for improving health and social care, with the judges noting that their efforts had improved hospital experiences for people.

Awards were handed out by the chief executive of NHS England, Simon Stevens, and the Parliamentary Health and Social Care Committee chair, Sarah Wollaston.

Healthwatch Hillingdon spoke to people over 65 who had been in-patients at their hospital. Most of the 170 people provided positive feedback about services.

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However, they did raise poor experiences around the discharge process. Using this, Healthwatch made a number of specific recommendations leading to the hospital making important changes.

These included addressing delays with patient transport and identifying carers so extra help can be provided.     

Award judge Phil Huggon said: “Of the nine recommendations they made, the hospital acknowledged eight of them and have already made real improvements that are improving experiences for local people.”