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Healthwatch England is concerned that coverage in recent days showing the NHS at breaking point will exacerbate already-low public confidence that people can get urgent and emergency care when they need it most.
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Our new data shows a worrying increase in the number of people avoiding vital care. We're calling for urgent action from government and health and care services to ensure rising costs are not a barrier to healthcare.News -
The NHS will buy thousands of extra beds in care homes and other settings to help discharge more patients to free up hospital beds. Our national director Louise Ansari responds.News -
Digital and remote methods are playing an increasingly important role in how people access care since the pandemic. Building confidence in digital skills is key to helping people who are digitally excluded from getting online.News -
Our national director, Louise Ansari, responds to the latest NHS performance stats.News -
With the NHS under extra pressure this winter, we need to hear your experiences of care to help services understand what is working and spot issues affecting support for you and your loved ones.News -
Healthwatch Bolton helped to arrange walk-in cervical cancer screening clinics in the community, removing barriers to lifesaving healthcare.News -
Working with deaf people and people affected by hearing loss, Healthwatch Norfolk created a step-by-step guide on how GP practices can improve communication and make care accessible.News -
Thanks to people sharing their views with Healthwatch, local leaders have invested £17m to improve hospital discharge – read more.News -
One year ago, NHS England published its elective care recovery plan. Our national director, Louise Ansari, comments on the progress of this plan and responds to the latest NHS performance stats.News -
Read our response to the latest A&E figures published by NHS England.News -
When one person advocates for themselves for better health care and improved accessibility, we all benefit.News -
Clear, understandable information is important to help you make decisions about your healthcare. It is feedback from people like Karl that inspired us to launch the Your Care, Your Way campaign last year.News -
Recent research highlighted that long delays for hospital treatment, last-minute cancellations, and a lack of personalised information and support were huge concerns for people. Find out what we're calling for.News -
From 1 December 2020, the NHS introduced a new system called NHS 111 First. Find out what we’re calling for to ensure the service works for everyone.News -
Deep-dive analysis of experiences of 2,693 new mothers and birthing parents shows that six-week postnatal checks – required of GPs in England - are failing many new mothers. We call for action.News -
Patient champion appeals for more people to feedback on NHS care.News -
Take a look at our work on women's health concerns, and what we're calling for to improve and tackle health inequalities.News -
Read what the public think about cancer care, and what we're calling for to make critical improvements.News -
The latest NHS data shows that a record number of people are waiting for care. However, our new research indicates that there is also a hidden waiting list, and more needs to be done to understand what it's like for people trying to get referred.News -
Health and social care services face big challenges, and if they are to improve, decision-makers must listen to public feedback. Read how we aim to help make this happen.News -
The cost of living is having a detrimental impact on people's decisions about their healthcare. But if you are disabled, on means-tested benefits or aged 18-24, you're more likely to avoid vital health services due to the fear of extra costs. We set out immediate actions for the government and the NHS.News -
The cost of living crisis is putting people under a lot of pressure - and affecting their ability to access the care they need. Read our evidence on the problems people are facing and how we believe these can be reduced to ensure cost is not a barrier to accessing care.News -
Professor David Croisdale-Appleby has been appointed as the new Chair of Healthwatch England, the independent champion for people who use health and social care.News -
When people have concerns over any aspect of their care or the actions or decisions of any NHS or social care body, they have the right to make a complaint. Read our position on how health and care services should manage complaints, and our work on this issue.News -
We welcome the creation of an independent public inquiry to learn lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic. The lessons from this inquiry could improve how government, NHS England, health and care providers and commissioners respond to future pandemics or public health emergencies.News -
As we celebrate 75 years of our NHS and look to a future where everyone can get the care they need, we celebrate some of the people who took the time to share their experiences with us and helped make care better for everyone.News -
By law, people in England have the right to get healthcare in the format they can understand. However, there’s a growing body of evidence suggesting that this is not happening. Read our policy position.News -
National GP patient survey sees a further fall in satisfaction, especially regarding making appointments. Read our response.News -
A new report by MPs into dental care, which draws upon the experiences people have shared with us, has called for urgent reform so more people can access an NHS dentist.News -
Our new research highlights that pressures in the NHS have serious consequences on people's lives and widen health inequalities.News -
Thousands of people tell us their first-hand experiences of care every month. We've looked closely at some issues people told us about in June to help NHS and social care decision-makers improve support.News -
Getting good social care can make a big difference in someone's life. But are people always receiving the help they need? Find out what people have told us and how we think social care support could be improved.News -
New figures published today in the annual report on NHS Dental Statistics for England in 2022-23, show that NHS dentists still see fewer people than pre-pandemic. Read our response.News -
NHS England is moving forward the timetable for the autumn COVID-19 and flu vaccine rollouts.News -
Jane Laughton joins the Healthwatch England Committee.News -
Our new research shows worryingly low public confidence in being able to access NHS services. A third of adults in England lack confidence that they can access timely care, including GP services, mental health support and hospital care. Read the findings and our calls to action.News -
We explore the three main challenges people face accessing health and care services when they live alone with limited or no support.News -
With the NHS under immense pressure, we look at the impact that waiting for a diagnosis, test, or treatment can have on individuals and some of the potential solutions that might help.News -
Recent changes to hospital discharge policy and processes have been positive. But the experiences we hear from people and families still vary. Find out what we're calling for to ensure people get the support they need during this time.
