• Public asked about how they prefer to access services in Bolton
• Feedback will help shape services and make improvements
• Opinions can be given via focus groups and an online survey that is running until 8 November

Residents in Bolton are being asked to share feedback about how they access health services when they need them, to help make improvements.

Healthwatch Bolton and Bolton Community and Voluntary Services (CVS) are undertaking a series of engagement sessions to understand the experiences of our local communities, when accessing all types of healthcare.

People are being asked how they use their GP service, chemist, Emergency Department and out of hours care when either they or a loved one are unwell.

The survey and engagement findings will support health professionals to adapt the services on offer outside of hospital, for those who have an urgent need.

Naomi Ledwith, Delivery Director for Health and Care Integration for NHS Greater Manchester in the Bolton Locality, said:

We want to understand how we could make it easier for people to get the right care when they need it, but to do that we need to understand how people are currently accessing services, and what does or doesn’t work for them.

“It only takes 10-15 minutes to complete the survey or talk to us about what matters most, but the impact you could have on the way we deliver care could be lifechanging. If you can spare the time, please help us understand your experience so we can build services that are fit for the future.

Opportunities to share feedback

The survey can be completed online.

If you prefer to complete the survey over the phone, please contact Healthwatch Bolton on 01204 394503 or email info@healthwatchbolton.co.uk.

If you’d like to take part in a focus group to discuss some of these issues in more detail (this should take 30 minutes to an hour – and you’ll be compensated for your time), please contact Dominic Bell at Bolton CVS – dominic@boltoncvs.org.uk.

You can find out more about how organisations in Bolton are working on partnership on health and care priorities in Bolton here.