1. Do you need proof of address to register with a GP?

    News -

    The answer is, in short no, but this was one of the 10 common problems we found when our network spoke to over 11,000 people about their experiences of primary care. Here are examples of what local Healthwatch have been doing to tackle this problem.

  2. Our Public Committee Meeting June 2021 supporting materials

    Report -

    Take a look at our papers for our June Committee meeting.

  3. New GP data-sharing system delayed - our response

    Response -

    We have joined forces with leading patient groups to respond to the Government's plans around GP data sharing.

  4. Locked out: Digitally excluded people’s experiences of remote GP appointments

    Report -

    The move to more digitally-led healthcare has worked well for some but excluded others over the past year. Our report explores how people have been excluded and what needs to happen to get the care they need.

  5. Maternity services: findings from the Healthwatch network

    Report -

    Our new report, published today, highlights five common concerns that people across England have shared with Healthwatch about maternity services.

  6. Our financial performance and position 2013/14

    Report -

    Find out about more about our financial performance and position for the financial year 2013/14.

  7. Our Annual Report 2013/14

    Report -

    Our Annual Report, Loud and Clear: Making your voice heard highlights our work and the work of the Healthwatch network over the past 12 months.

  8. Five principles for post-COVID-19 digital healthcare

    News -

    Our new report explores people's experiences of digital and remote healthcare and sets out five principles for post-COVID19 care to ensure no one is left behind.

  9. 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.

  10. Healthwatch England Chair reappointed for a three-year term

    News -

    The Cabinet Office has announced that the term of our current Chair, Sir Robert Francis QC, has been extended until June 2024.

  11. Suffering in silence

    Report -

    This report highlights what people have told the Healthwatch network about their experience of making a complaint about health and social care services.

  12. Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion - Our plan for 2021-22

    Report -

    Find out how we will continue to put Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the heart of our work.

  13. My expectations for raising concerns and complaints

    Report -

    What should people expect when it comes to raising concerns and complaints about health and social care? Our new report explains.

  14. The State of Support 2014/15

    Report -

    Find out what funding the Healthwatch network has received to carry out its statutory activities for 2014/15.

  15. Our business plan 2015-16

    Report -

    Our business plan outlines how we plan to meet our strategic priorities from April 2015 to March 2016.

  16. Our public Committee Meeting October 2014 - supporting materials

    Report -

    Find out what happened at our public Committee Meeting.

  17. Funding and support information for NHS Complaints Advocacy services - FOI results

    Report -

    Results from our Freedom of Information Request show care home residents and other social care users are not being given support to make a complaint about social care services.

  18. Hospital policies on making a complaint - FOI results

    Report -

    Our new evidence raises further concerns about the defensive and obstructive culture around complaints in the NHS.

  19. Proposed standards for complaints advocacy

    Report -

    We have worked with users, providers and commissioners of complaints advocacy services to create a vision of what a good complaints advocacy service should look like.

  20. Every complaint matters - a seven-point plan for the NHS and social care

    Report -

    Our seven-point action plan to help ensure that the complaints system gives patients what they need and ensures the NHS and social care services can learn from their mistakes.

  21. Safely Home - what happens when people leave hospital and care settings

    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.

  22. Our letter to Julia Cumberlege to share what people have told Healthwatch about maternity services.

    Response -

    NHS England has announced a national review of maternity services in England.

  23. State of Support - Local Healthwatch finances 2015/16

    Report -

    This report outlines the funding each local Healthwatch has received to deliver their statutory activities based on survey results from 148 local Healthwatch, working across 152 local authority areas.

  24. Primary Care: A review of local Healthwatch reports

    Report -

    Find out what we found when our network spoke to more than 11,000 people and visited over 550 GP surgeries, pharmacies and opticians across the country.

  25. 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.

  26. Holistic welfare checks part of updated hospital discharge guidance

    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.

  27. Our Annual Report 2014/15

    Report -

    Find out what we, along with the Healthwatch network, have achieved over the past year.

  28. Our Annual Governance Statement 2014/15

    Report -

    Find out more about the processes and procedures in place for Healthwatch to carry out its functions effectively.

  29. What's the point? Nothing ever changes

    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.

  30. Imelda Redmond is stepping down after leading Healthwatch England for four and half years

    News -

    Healthwatch England National Director Imelda Redmond CBE has announced she will be stepping down from her role this autumn after four and half years leading the organisation.

  31. What help do you need to look after your health in the future?

    Report -

    By analysing over 11,000 conversations the Healthwatch network has had with the public about this issue, we found five common areas where people wanted to see improvement.

  32. Your views helped improve non-emergency patient transport services

    News -

    NHS England has published a new report outlining changes to non-emergency patient transport services (NEPTS) and broader NHS transport support. Take a look at what the changes mean for you and your loved ones.

  33. People's experiences of primary care

    Report -

    Most people when surveyed say that they are satisfied with the care they get from primary care services, but this does not tell the full story.

  34. Are you or your loved one waiting for hospital care? Share you views

    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.

  35. How to stay informed while you wait for care

    Advice and Information -

    The wait for planned medical care or surgery can be frustrating. That’s why you must get regular and accessible updates while you wait.

  36. Our strategy 2014/16

    Report -

    Our strategy for 2014/16 sets out how, by working together, the Healthwatch network will truly champion the interests of those who use health and social care services. 

  37. People living in the poorest areas waiting longer for hospital treatment

    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 treatment

  38. Our business plan 2014/15

    Report -

    Find out what we will do in the year ahead.

  39. What is adult social care?

    Advice and Information -

    Do you or a loved one need help with social care? Read the article below to find out answers to key questions about who can access adult social care and how to pay for it.

  40. Our financial statement 2015/16

    Report -

    Our financial statement explains our financial performance and position for 2015/16 and details spending by each of our strategic priority areas.

  41. Our public committee meeting October 2021 supporting materials

    Report -

    Take a look at the papers for our October Committee meeting

  42. Our Annual Report 2015-16

    Report -

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

  43. NHS sets plan to improve GP access

    Response -

    The NHS has published a plan for improving access to GP appointments for patients alongside supporting GPs and their teams.

  44. Dementia services - findings from the Healthwatch network

    Report -

    Over the past year local Healthwatch have spoken to people across the country about their experiences of dementia care - from help provided by GPs and pharmacists to support offered through hospitals and social care.