1. 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.

  2. Healthwatch England launches first Annual Report to Parliament

    News -

    Our annual report to Parliament outlines the role of Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch, as well as highlighting our activity over our first six months.

  3. How are local Healthwatch making a difference to blood testing services?

    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.

  4. Local Healthwatch challenges council to cut care waiting times

    News -

    People often need extra help from their council because of a disability, ill health or old age but they must have a care assessment first. Read what Healthwatch Cambridgeshire did when people told them they had to wait too long for an assessment.

  5. We call for greater involvement of people in decisions about their care

    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.

  6. I didn’t know what to expect when dad was taken to hospital

    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.

  7. Helping people in care homes access activities that will improve their health

    News -

    One local Healthwatch calls for meaningful activity to become an integral part of the culture of care homes after speaking to people in 15 services.

  8. Our equality, diversity and inclusion statement and action plan

    Report -

    Equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of our values. This statement and plan shows how we plan to ensure everyone should have a fair and equal experience using health and social care, particularly those who may face discrimination.

  9. 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.

  10. Government announces greater focus on mental health services for children and young

    Response -

    Today the Prime Minister announced an overhaul on mental health services for young people. Read our response to the news.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. People's experiences of primary care

    News -

    Accessing GP services is a key concern people share with their local Healthwatch. Here are some of the issues people from different communities face.

  14. Local Healthwatch raise concerns about home care in Torbay

    News -

    Yesterday, the Care Quality Commission placed a home care provider into Special Measures due to inadequate care. We find out what local Healthwatch did to raise the issue.

  15. What people think of mental health services

    News -

    People have told local Healthwatch that mental health is a key priority. With the Mental Health Taskforce due to report its findings soon, we look in more detail at the challenges people have been sharing.

  16. How to communicate better with people with hearing loss

    News -

    COVID-19 poses a unique challenge for health and social care professionals when talking to someone with hearing loss. Here are some important tips to help you communicate effectively.

  17. Have you had an experience like Jane?

    News -

    Jane was shocked to discover that her son, who has schizophrenia, was living in squalid conditions, despite having an agency employed to support him. We explain some of the wider problems we have heard about a range of non-regulated services.

  18. COVID-19: What people are telling us about their care

    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.

  19. Closing gaps in dental provision in Bradford and Kirklees

    News -

    Since 2014, ‘How do I get an NHS dentist?’ has been one of the most common questions people in Bradford and Kirklees have asked their local Healthwatch. Together they have been working to try and help improve access to local dental services.

  20. COVID-19: What people are telling us

    News -

    In our latest briefing, we look at the key issues the public have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  21. Our public Committee Meeting September 2020 supporting materials

    Report -

    Take a look at our papers for our September Committee Meeting.

  22. Young voices help improve mental health services

    News -

    People have told us mental health is a top priority in 2016. The Government recently announced extra support for mental health in England, along with faster treatment for teenagers with eating disorders.

  23. Perspectives on primary care part 3: The Roma Community in Bradford

    News -

    People have told us that being able to access primary care services is a major concern. As part of our investigation into people’s experiences of using services, we are sharing a series of blogs setting out what different consumer groups told us.

  24. Three improvements people want to see made to NHS dentistry

    News -

    Read our new report and find out what local Healthwatch have heard about people's views on NHS dental services.

  25. Healthwatch network reveals public’s health and care priorities for 2017

    News -

    Analysis by the national health and care consumer champion, Healthwatch England, has identified the key issues the public want to see policy makers and health professionals focus on over the next 12 months.

  26. Young listeners making a difference in Wiltshire

    News -

    A child or young person’s early life experiences have a crucial impact on their adult health and life chances. Find out what one local Healthwatch is doing to get more young people to share their experiences of health and care.

  27. Chair of Healthwatch England confirmed

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission has announced that Jane Mordue has been appointed as our Chair.

  28. Healthwatch Awards 2020: Shortlist announced

    News -

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

  29. Our response to CQC's State of Care report for 2019/20

    Response -

    Care Quality Commission's report today shows COVID-19 is magnifying inequalities and “risks turning fault lines into chasms”.

  30. 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.

  31. Help us make some noise on Thursday 5 January

    News -

    Help encourage more people to #SpeakUp and talk to local Healthwatch about their experiences.

  32. How Deaf friendly is your dental surgery?

    News -

    A trip to the dentist should be straightforward. But for people who are Deaf it can be extremely difficult when services aren't accessible. We spoke to Mark, a Deaf patient in Wokingham about his experience as a mystery shopper.

  33. 590 people's stories of leaving hospital during COVID-19

    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.

  34. Healthwatch England Chair announces new National Director

    News -

    In her first act as permanent Chair of patient champion Healthwatch England, Jane Mordue has announced that Imelda Redmond is to take up the role of National Director from 9 January 2017.

  35. Over 55s least likely to think care has improved over the pandemic

    News -

    We are calling on people over 55 to share their experiences to help improve support after research indicates that they are the least likely to believe care has improved during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  36. Call for better guidance on care home visits: Read our letter to Government

    Response -

    We have written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care expressing our concern around the current guidance on visits to care homes. Read our letter and the Governments response.

  37. Report on patient deaths makes 'devastating reading'

    Response -

    Our Chair responds to national review of NHS investigations into patient deaths.

  38. What are people’s biggest health and social care issues for 2015?

    News -

    Our annual survey of local Healthwatch priorities reveals the top health and social care issues for the public across England for 2015.

  39. Using people’s views of good complaint handling to improve experiences

    News -

    New joint report highlights what people can expect when making a complaint about health and social care services.

  40. 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.

  41. Working together to help improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers

    Blog -

    Find out how Healthwatch Wiltshire worked with other organisations to improve dementia care, winning them the awards for 'The impact we make with partners' at this year's Healthwatch network awards.

  42. 15 step challenge: What kind of care can you expect when walking onto a hospital ward?

    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.

  43. How people's experiences of care improved mental health crisis support

    Blog -

    Healthwatch Leeds used people’s experiences of mental health crisis support to improve services for those who need them. The impact of this work has won them a 2020 Healthwatch Network Award.

  44. We respond to the national maternity review

    Response -

    Maternity services in England must become safer, more personalised, kinder, professional and more family-friendly.

  45. NHS services must tell people how to contact their local Healthwatch

    News -

    People can’t help improve health services if they don’t know who to talk to. That’s why patients will now be guided to local Healthwatch by health services to do just that.

  46. "Poorly-handled discharge can have a huge impact on patients": Our response to CQC's inpatient survey

    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.