New feedback platform to help improve Falkirk’s health and social care services.
People in Falkirk can now share their experiences of accessing local health and social care services using Care Opinion, an online feedback platform.
Local services provided and commissioned by Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership will be available on Care Opinion, an independent not-for-profit website which has been backed by the Scottish Government for use across all NHS boards in Scotland since 2013.
The platform encourages people to share their anonymous feedback, allowing a true account of their experience while accessing care and support to be told. Stories will receive a response directly from staff and local teams – identifying where action is being taken as a result of feedback received.
Welcoming the new feedback option, Gail Woodcock, Head of Integration, Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Care Opinion will make it easier for people to provide feedback and for our staff to hear how their work is making a difference.
“The use of this accessible and anonymous feedback option will contribute towards our open, fair, and transparent culture across health and social care services and help us to continually improve our services. I would encourage everyone who uses our services to make their voice heard and share their story.”
Care Opinion will enhance existing feedback routes and complement the formal processes already available across Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership’s services – which span those provided by Falkirk Council, NHS Forth Valley, and the third sector.
Fraser Gilmore, Executive Director, Care Opinion Scotland, added: “To date, Care Opinion has helped people in Scotland share over 35,000 stories – leading to hundreds of positive changes and helping staff know if they are getting it right.
“I look forward to reading all of the stories coming from people in Falkirk. At Care Opinion we know how important every story is, and these will help staff and the wider Partnership celebrate what they are doing well and learn from what can be improved.”
Services will be added to the platform throughout spring and summer, starting with Falkirk’ Councils Adult Social Work Services, community nursing, and services and care provided at Falkirk and Bo’ness Community Hospitals.
People across Forth Valley can already use Care Opinion to provide feedback about NHS Forth Valley services, with more than 3,500 local stories already shared. More of Falkirk’s community-based health and social care services will soon be available for feedback on Care Opinion, with teams promoting the new feedback option to service users when it is made available.
Stories and feedback can be submitted anonymously online at www.careopinion.org.uk, by calling the Freephone number 0800 122 3135, or by completing a freepost feedback leaflet available from services.
Compliments and Complaints
The Partnership welcomes feedback from everyone who accesses or interacts with local services and support options. Your feedback is valued and is used to inform future improvements and help staff know when they are getting it right.
There are different ways you can provide feedback, compliments, or raise a formal complaint, depending on whether your comments relate to a local service or the Integration Joint Board. More information can be found on our Compliments and Complaints page.