A HEALTH watchdog credited with improving 48 Dorset GP practices has won a national volunteering award.

Healthwatch Dorset, which is headquartered in Pokesdown and boasts more than 250 volunteers, won the Making a Difference through Volunteering award at the Healthwatch Network Awards of Achievement 2015.

Following a special report compiled by its volunteers aimed at giving an insight into how well supported patients felt when raising concerns or complaining, 48 GP practices in the county made changes to their services.

And Healthwatch Dorset’s chair Joyce Guest said she is delighted their efforts have been formally acknowledged, in a category which saw them compete with around 150 groups across the country.

“Winning this award is a great recognition of the huge contribution made by our hard-working and dedicated team of volunteers,” she said.

“Healthwatch Dorset strives to represent the concerns and the needs of local people. Our volunteers are essential to this aim, acting as our eyes and ears in the local community so that we know what people’s views and concerns are when it comes to their health and care services. We couldn’t do it without them and we are very proud of their achievements.”

More than 400 people from 148 Healthwatch groups across the country attended the Manchester event on June 30, along with other representatives from across the health and social care sector.

Anna Bradley, chair of Healthwatch England, said: “We had a very high standard of award entries this year, so Healthwatch Dorset should be extremely proud of their success in the Making a Difference Through Volunteering category.

“The work they have done engaging and developing a network of fantastic volunteers is a shining example of how involving and informing people in discussions about their health and social care can really make a sustainable impact and bring about long-term change to services.”

For more information about the watchdog email enquiries@healthwatchdorset.co.uk or visit healthwatchdorset.co.uk.