Staying Connected During the Coronavirus Crisis: Families and Friends of Care Home Residents Webinar 2021

On Tuesday 10th November 2021 nearly 90 people from across Sussex took part in a Healthwatch in Sussex webinar where we heard some powerful and emotional stories. Relatives and family carers of care home residents engaged in lively discussions with professionals from a variety of health and care services and support organisations.

I supported Healthwatch in Sussex in setting up the event and facilitating on the night, managing the technical aspects to support the chair.

Experiences and views that were shared at the event have been captured and will be drawn together, shared with participants and published to inform future decision-making for care homes. The webinar was recorded and is available for anyone to watch by clicking the following link: https://youtu.be/D53_dekly3k.

The speaker presentations are also available to download on our website.

Alastair Hignell, Co-Chair of the webinar says:

“This event reinforced my belief in the generosity and compassion of the human spirit. That people from so many different organisations, often with competing priorities, could come together and share their expertise, their insights – and their agreement to differ – in such a collaborative approach; was truly affirmative.

It reminded me once again of the values of teamwork and the need for a multi-pronged approach to the problems, both new and long-standing, that confront us.”

Liz Mackie on behalf of Healthwatch in Sussex added:

“We are delighted with the response to our webinar and the genuine willingness expressed from all our partners to continue these discussions with family carers over the coming months.

There are positive signs ahead with the prospect of vaccinations but there are still difficult times to get through. Our commitment to amplify the voices of all family carers and care home residents remains undiminished.”

Healthwatch in Sussex would like to thank everybody who gave generously of their time at our webinar.