Annual Report: A Year of Listening, Impact, and Change
Healthwatch Bedford Borough (HBB) has released its Annual Report for 2024–2025, showcasing a transformative year of community engagement, advocacy, and tangible improvements in local health and social care services.
Under the theme “Unlocking the Power of People-Driven Care,” the report reflects HBB’s unwavering commitment to amplifying the voices of Bedford residents—especially those seldom heard—and turning their experiences into meaningful change.
Key Highlights from the Report Include:
- Over 5,000 residents supported with advice, information, and opportunities to share their views.
- 17 published reports, including the widely accessed Pharmacy First – The Hidden Healthcare Resource, which led to renewed outreach and improved public awareness.
- 244 volunteer hours contributed to outreach, research, and Enter & View visits, reinforcing community-driven oversight.
- Inclusive engagement through telephone surveys and outreach events, ensuring digitally excluded and minority communities were heard.
- Strategic partnerships with Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB), influencing service design and procurement.
From hosting diabetes awareness events to improving oral health education for families with young children, HBB’s initiatives have addressed health inequalities and empowered residents to shape the future of care.
Looking Ahead, HBB has outlined three top priorities for 2025–2026:
- Improving access to mental health services.
- Enhancing volunteer recruitment.
- Strengthening its Independent Strategic Advisory Board (ISAB).
Annual Report HBB 2024-25
The full report is available here, offering transparency and insight into how community feedback is driving real change.
Healthwatch Bedford Borough: A Year of Listening, Impact, and Change
