“WE BELIEVE we could offer so much more” – that is the message from Healthwatch Wokingham Borough after a report outlined how council cuts are impacting on the watchdog.

In September 2018, Healthwatch learned it would lose 10 per cent of its budget in the 2019 financial year, meaning it now has less than £100,000 to support Wokingham’s ill and vulnerable residents with every year.

The report, which is set to be seen by councillors next week, highlighted that the cuts have made it difficult for the watchdog to recruit and retain staff and volunteers, with the existing team already “working at capacity”.

While Healthwatch was previously able to produce five detailed reports on healthcare issues causing concern, this year it has said it will only be able to complete one report, on adult mental health, in light of the cut.

The report read: “The Board acknowledges that Wokingham Borough has maintained the funding and not reduced it until the 2019 financial year.

“But set against the background of a rising population, inflation and a reduced budget, this will affect our ability to make a contribution to health and care services.

“With the NHS setting out a long term plan which relies heavily on public and patient involvement in both their own health and in the way services are designed and delivered, maintaining a high performing Healthwatch becomes even more important.

“We will continue to strive to deliver an excellent service for the people of Wokingham, but with additional investment, we believe we could offer so much more.”

There are a number of other areas Healthwatch has seen impacts on because of the funding reduction, including having to “dramatically cut” advertising and promotions budgets as well as limit its ‘mystery shopping’ work, where Healthwatch representatives pose as members of the public and test out healthcare services.

The report also stated that because of the budget cut, the watchdog believes it will be difficult to secure additional commissioned work going forward due to having “such limited resources”.

Healthwatch representative Nicola Strudley told The News: “I understand that the local authority and the NHS across the country, not just Wokingham, are in a difficult position.

“The demand for services is increasing, more people have longer-term conditions and the money is reducing. It is a challenging time.

“We put this report together because there is a trend at the moment for local authorities and CCGs join up and work together.

“With Berkshire West CCG, there is very little mention of Wokingham, it is more about Reading.

“From a Wokingham perspective, who is going to champion Wokingham people’s voices and make sure Wokingham’s services are being held to account?

“The reason we have put this report together is our budget is pretty small and I just worry that we won’t be able to do that (hold the authorities to account).”

Members of the Wokingham Borough Council health overview and scrutiny panel will meet on Wednesday, March 6, to discuss the report.