1. Why getting personal is important when it comes to health and care

    News -

    Read a summary of our latest research to find out why personalised care is important.

  2. There and back - what people tell us about their experiences of travelling to and from NHS services

    Report -

    Find out what's working well for people and what needs to improve when it comes to people's experiences of travelling to and from NHS appointments, in our new briefing.

  3. More focus needed on how people travel to and from NHS services

    News -

    Together with two leading charities, we are raising awareness of the issues people facing travelling to and from NHS services. We will be working with NHS England to support their new national review of the links between the NHS and local transport.

  4. Our response to the NHS Mandate 2016/17

    Response -

    NHS England publishes its ambitions for the health service for 2016/17

  5. What are people’s concerns about proposed changes to NHS prescriptions?

    News -

    With one week left to respond to NHS proposals to curb prescriptions for certain treatments available over the counter, find out about the concerns the public have shared with us.

  6. Healthwatch England’s National Director gives evidence to Health and Social Care Select Committee

    News -

    Health and social care services are changing, but how effective are they at involving the public? Our National Director shared the experiences of local Healthwatch with the Health and Social Care Select Committee.

  7. How are people’s views influencing health reforms?

    News -

    Across the country reforms are underway to ensure that health and social care services provide a good quality and seamless experience for people. The public understand the need for change, but also want to be involved in decisions.

  8. Do you understand how hospitals, GPs and care services are changing in your area?

    News -

    Our country’s health and care services face big challenges. We are living longer, but more people need help with long-term health conditions, adding pressures to services. This demand for support comes at a time when the cost of care is increasing.

  9. NHS England publishes new guidance on public engagement

    Response -

    New guidance has been published about how Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and NHS England should engage people in work to improve health and care services.

  10. Five things communities should expect from getting involved in NHS reforms

    News -

    Across England changes are being made that aim to improve health and care for patients but what should your community expect when it comes to being involved in decisions that impact on local services.

  11. Many areas still need effective public engagement

    Response -

    A new report by the King’s Fund highlights some of the challenges and opportunities that exist with future changes to health and care services.

  12. Our response to NHS England's update to the Five Year Forward View

    Response -

    New plan setting out changes across health and care services for the next few years is published.

  13. Our Chair's response to the King's Fund's Sustainability and Transformation Plans progress report

    Response -

    New report from the Kings Fund highlights challenges and opportunities that exist with future changes to health and care services.

  14. Our response to reports on proposed Sustainability and Transformation Plans

    Response -

    Media reports suggest that new plans will include proposals for ward closures, cuts in bed numbers and changes to A&E and GP care in 44 areas.

  15. Let them eat rice cake?

    News -

    Our National Director talks about the importance of everyone having their say on what should be available on prescription.

  16. New official figures released on people’s experiences of A&E

    Response -

    Today the CQC published results from its patient experience survey of accident and emergency departments. Read our response.

  17. Our response to NHS England specialised commissioning engagement

    Response -

    In response to NHS England consultation, we outline our expectations in terms of good consultation and engagement practice.

  18. SpeakUp2020: Share your views and help make the NHS better

    News -

    New campaign calls on the public to their experiences of NHS services to help make care better for all.

  19. What's your health or social care priority this year? #SpeakUp2020

    News -

    Here's what people have already told us about their experiences of hospital care, mental health support and social care. #SpeakUp2020 and tell us about the changes that you would like to see.

  20. GP surgeries updating good practice in registering new patients thanks to local Healthwatch

    News -

    Almost all GP practices in Southampton routinely ask for proof of identity, potentially denying many people access to care in Southampton.

  21. Parent secures changes to orthotics services by sharing her son’s experience

    News -

    Speaking up about her son’s experience saw one woman help improve orthotics services for people across the country.

  22. Why young people get involved in shaping health and care

    News -

    With 23% of people in Leeds aged under 19, YouthWatch was created to help find out what young people want from local health and care services. We speak to three volunteers about why they got involved.

  23. Your community needs you – NHS call for volunteer army

    News -

    Protect your loved ones and protect the nation, volunteer to help those that are most vulnerable to the effects of coronavirus (COVID-19) stay at home. Join the army of NHS volunteers today.

  24. Our advice on the NHS objectives for 2020-21

    Report -

    Each year, we share with Government the issues we believe should be included in the objectives for the NHS for the year ahead. Read our advice and find out how the NHS Mandate this has been affected by COVID-19.

  25. Our letter to the Secretary of State with recommendations for creating an effective and compassionate health and social care complaints system

    Response -

    We have written to the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to take action with a seven-point plan for reform to help create an effective and compassionate complaints system.

  26. The NHS can’t afford to be scared to talk about change

    News -

    Services are going through major changes that aim to help make them more efficient and better at delivering tailored support. However, these reforms will only work if services listen to what the public wants.

  27. Traditional health and care services need to change - but how?

    News -

    Demand for healthcare is increasing, but so are the costs of delivering it. Traditional support needs to change to better meet people’s needs.

  28. How well do health and care services work together?

    News -

    Across England, reforms are taking place that aim to make health and care services better at working together to meet your individual needs.

  29. The doctor will zoom you now

    Blog -

    The pandemic has seen a rapid roll-out of virtual NHS consultations. Working with National Voices, Traverse, and PPL, we've found out how they are working for people, and how to get the most out of the virtual health and care appointments.

  30. What is a virtual ward?

    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.

  31. Every Voice Matters - our Annual Report to Parliament 2015-16

    News -

    Published today, Every Voice Matters, our Annual Report to Parliament 2015-16, outlines how together we are putting people at the heart of care.

  32. Is fear of public engagement holding the NHS back?

    News -

    Sustainability and Transformation Plans could fundamentally change the way the NHS works. With the first plans now being published our Interim Chair calls on the NHS to work hand-in-hand with communities to get these reforms right.

  33. The Doctor Will Zoom You Now: getting the most out of the virtual health and care experience.

    Report -

    Our insight report sets out the key findings from our work with National Voices, Traverse, and PPL as we explore people’s experiences of remote appointments since the start of the pandemic.

  34. Healthwatch Awards 2020: Shortlist announced

    News -

    We are delighted to announce the shortlist for the Healthwatch Awards 2020.

  35. Improving urgent and emergency care in West Yorkshire

    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.

  36. Healthwatch network award winners 2020 announced

    News -

    We celebrated the huge contribution made by local Healthwatch staff and volunteers at Healthwatch Network Awards 2020. Find out who won.

  37. When to use NHS 111 and how it can help you

    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.

  38. Bringing the voice of consumers to Parliament

    News -

    Healthwatch from across England share their concerns in Westminster to make sure people can have their say about changes to health services in their area.

  39. Our response to the launch of NHS England's consultation on A&E performance measures

    Response -

    NHS England want to hear from patients, clinicians and the public on their proposed set of performance measures for A&E.

  40. Our response to NHS England's proposals to update the legislation for how the NHS works at a regional level

    Response -

    NHS England wants to change how NHS works at a regional level, read our response to their proposals.

  41. Health and Care White Paper - our response

    Response -

    We welcome the plans to strengthen health and care legislation set out in the White Paper today.

  42. We warn councils funding cuts could mute patients voice

    News -

    Survey finds local Healthwatch areas being hit cover half of hospitals in special measures.

  43. Our annual report 2019-20

    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.

  44. Is NHS 111 First making a difference?

    Blog -

    During COVID-19, people have relied on NHS 111 more than ever to get urgent medical advice. Our latest research looks at people's experiences of NHS 111 and awareness of the new A&E time slot booking service.

  45. Local people being cut out of decision making about their health services

    News -

    The way decisions are made about local health services is changing. Early indications from local Healthwatch suggest that this is resulting in the public feeling less able to have their say.

  46. Focus on NHS Admin is needed to improve people’s experiences of care

    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.

  47. Patient data is crucial for the planning of health services - and so is building trust in how the NHS uses it.

    News -

    The NHS’s plans to better use data held by GPs to support planning services and research has sparked a lot of discussion in recent weeks. We have been sharing your views to help shape the debate.