The independent organisation, which gives people a voice in decisions that affect their health and care, has released its annual report for 2024-25.

In it, they outlined how feedback from residents helped shape improvements in the county’s services.

One focus was on the disparities in health outcomes for homeless and vulnerably housed individuals in Bournemouth.

These concerns, based on feedback from service users, health professionals, and support workers, are set to be addressed in the NHS Dorset Homeless Health Plan, currently under review.

The report also highlighted the experiences of more than 180 residents in the Boscombe area.

Their stories pointed out the need for improved access to GPs and NHS dental services, stronger community mental health services and more continuity in social care.

These findings have helped shape the Integrated Neighbourhood Team for Boscombe.

Additionally, a survey of more than 900 residents revealed the impact of pharmacy closures and medicine shortages.

These insights are being used by Public Health Dorset to inform the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment, due to be published later this year.

Healthwatch Dorset also continued its work with Dorset County Hospital to improve support for unpaid carers.

The local NHS has now implemented training and introduced named Carers Leads alongside the promotion of Carers Passports.

Viv Aird, chair of the Healthwatch Dorset board, said: “Our focus this year has been on responding to everything you have told us about your experience of local health and care services.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported and contributed to our work, including those who have acted on our recommendations, and to all of you who have so generously shared your experiences with us in order to help to make services across Dorset better for others.”

Looking to the future, Healthwatch Dorset’s priority projects for 2025-26 include working with young people to understand how they search for and access care and reaching out to diverse groups across Dorset to learn about the digital divide.