Advice and Information -
With more and more appointments happening online, we've put together some tips on how to get the most out of the virtual health and care appointments both for patients and health and care professionals.News -
Most people will have a blood test at some point in their lives. Take a look at just some of the ways local Healthwatch in London have been working to improve blood testing services.Response -
In response to the Care Quality Commission's State of Care report, our Interim Chair, Jane Mordue, calls for the health and social care sector to meaningfully involve the public in decisions about health and social care.News -
During lockdown, Tony was admitted to hospital with chest pains. His son, Robin, 35, talks to us about the difficulties family members face trying to find out what’s happening when a loved one is in hospital.Report -
Find out what the public has been telling us about health and social care from April - June 2020, including the key issues people have faced because of the COVID-19 pandemic.News -
We are delighted to announce the shortlist for the Healthwatch Awards 2020.Response -
Care Quality Commission's report today shows COVID-19 is magnifying inequalities and “risks turning fault lines into chasms”.News -
The NHS is looking for better ways to make sure that people with urgent medical problems get the care they need, when they need it. We look at how local Healthwatch have been working together to ensure people have a say.Report -
Our new report with the British Red Cross looks at how well the new hospital discharge policy is working for patients, carers and healthcare professionals.News -
Our annual survey of local Healthwatch priorities reveals the top health and social care issues for the public across England for 2015.
Blog -
Two volunteers from Healthwatch Northamptonshire worked with a local hospital to make real changes for the patients. Find out why this important work won them a 2020 Healthwatch network award.Response -
Our National Director, Imelda Redmond, responds to CQC’s COVID-19 inpatient survey, highlighting the importance of getting discharge right for patients and their loved ones.News -
Our new report brings together 3,230 stories gathered by 101 local Healthwatch from across the country, revealing the human and financial cost of getting the discharge process wrong.
Advice and Information -
The NHS wants to make it easier and safer for patients to get the right treatment when they need it, without waiting a long time to be seen in A&E. Find out what this means for you and your loved ones.Response -
NHS England want to hear from patients, clinicians and the public on their proposed set of performance measures for A&E.News -
Patients and worried family members looking to complain about their care from a hospital, GP or care home are going unheard because the current system is simply too complex.
News -
Nearly a fifth confess to knowingly using A&E for non-emergencies.
News -
In response to the distressing stories being shared with Healthwatch across the country, we’re launching an inquiry into why things so often go wrong when people are discharged from health and social care services.
Report -
Since COVID-19 struck, the work of the Healthwatch network to support and listen to local people became more crucial than ever. Find out more in our 2019-20 annual report to Parliament about how we have helped make care better.Response -
Our response to CQC's report, ‘Protect, respect, connect – decisions about living and dying well during COVID-19.'News -
Healthwatch England launches its 12 week consultation to help shape our strategy for the next two years.
News -
People waiting to leave hospital are discharged more quickly and efficiently in the run up to Christmas than at any other time of year.
News -
New figures show a significant increase in the number of delayed transfers of people between hospitals, care homes and community services. We look at what people are telling Healthwatch about their experience.
News -
Local Healthwatch made 600 visits last year to find out how people feel about the quality of health and care services. We spoke to Healthwatch Lancashire to find out how patients felt about changes that were made to a nearby hospital.
News -
In partnership with Healthwatch and National Voices, new findings from The King's Fund highlight the critical role of administration in how people experience care.Report -
Our new evidence raises further concerns about the defensive and obstructive culture around complaints in the NHS.Report -
With the help of 101 local Healthwatch, we heard from over 3,000 people who shared their stories with us about their experiences of the discharge process.News -
The Government has recently updated national hospital discharge guidance, taking on board our key recommendations. Take a look at what the improvements mean for you.News -
You might think your feedback doesn’t have the power to change how health and social care services run. We want to show you how that isn’t the case.News -
Millions of people have had their treatment delayed by the pandemic – are you one of them? We want to know if you’re getting the advice, information and support you need while you wait.Advice and Information -
The wait for planned medical health care or surgery can be frustrating. That’s why you must get regular and accessible updates while you wait.News -
The King’s Fund and Healthwatch England jointly call for urgent action to address hospital waiting lists and improve patients’ experience of delays to treatmentNews -
A record-breaking 5.7 million people are waiting for hospital care. In response, the Government is spending an extra £5.9 billion to tackle the problem. Our latest research looks at how the backlog is impacting the lives of those waiting.Report -
In the last two years, over 2,000 people have shared their experiences of leaving care with Healthwatch.Report -
As part of our work to understand people's experiences of leaving hospital, we have today published a new analysis of NHS emergency readmissions dataReport -
As part of our research into unsafe discharge from hospital and care settings we conducted a Freedom of Information Request in May 2015 of 164 hospital trusts.Blog -
Following the publication of our annual report, our Chair writes about the vital role your feedback plays in shaping better health and care services.News -
With a record six million people currently waiting for hospital treatment, the NHS has today set out a plan to address backlogs that built up during the Covid-19 pandemic and tackle long waiting lists for care. Read our response.Response -
Using your feedback on care, we share with Government the issues we believe should be included in the objectives for the NHS for the year ahead. Read our recommendations.Response -
The latest NHS data shows that a record number of people are waiting for care, although the number of people waiting a year or more has fallen slightly. Read our response.Response -
The latest figures from the NHS show that the number of people waiting for NHS treatment has increased by 180,000. Read our response.News -
The current hospital backlog has had a huge impact on many patients waiting for treatment. But if you are a woman, on a low income or from an ethnic minority background, you are more likely to have a worse experience of waiting for care.Response -
Two-thirds fewer people are waiting more than two years for elective care, new figures have shown. Our national director Louise Ansari highlights that low income, gender and ethnicity affect people’s experience of waiting.Response -
Record NHS waiting times appear to be increasing the number of people paying for private care, according to a new BBC analysis. Read our response.Response -
NHS England has achieved the first milestone in its plan to eliminate backlogs caused by Covid. Read our response.Response -
New plans to open surgical hubs should reduce the backlog of patients waiting for care. Our National Director Louise Ansari highlights the need for a focus on tackling health inequalities.Response -
With the NHS experiencing the busiest summer on record, the waiting list for treatment has hit a new high, according to latest figures. Read our response.Report -
Our latest findings reveal what people have been telling us about their experience of urgent and emergency care services.
