1. Making sure GPs provide information in a way that people can understand

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    After being told by patients that local GPs weren’t meeting the needs of patients with communication difficulties, one local Healthwatch decided to take action.

  2. Three common issues homeless people face when trying to access care

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    With thousands of people at risk of homelessness this winter, we look at the common issues people who do not have a place to call home tell us they can face when it comes to health and care.

  3. What matters most: Four things people want from care

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    Since 2014, we’ve heard from 1.4 million people about what it’s like to use NHS and social care services. Our latest annual report to Parliament highlights what changes you want to see and how together we're making a difference.

  4. Helping you find answers

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    To give you an idea of some of the ways we’ve helped, take a look at our round up of the top questions people ask us.

  5. New Long Term Plan is "just the start"

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    The NHS in England has published a ten year plan setting its priorities for the future.

  6. Why are people struggling to get their medication?

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    We look at one of the issues people raise with Healthwatch and the steps GPs and Pharmacists can take to help people get the medication they need.

  7. Accessibility checklist for GP surgeries

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    Help make sure that your practice meets patient's accessibility requirements by using this quick checklist.

  8. How easy to use are services if you have a sensory impairment?

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    In the UK, almost 2 million people are living with sight loss. Find out what people have told us it is like using NHS services when you have a sensory impairment or loss.

  9. Six ways health services can improve waiting rooms

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    Here are six steps that people have told us health and social care services can take to provide a better environment while they wait.

  10. Shortlist showcase - Championing diversity and inclusion

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    With a diverse population, it’s important that local services understand what their communities need, and that they don’t try and follow a one size fits all approach. Take a look at who has been shortlisted for our Diversity and Inclusion award.

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

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

  12. Would you use a pharmacist instead of visiting your GP for advice?

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    One in three people said yes when asked this question in a recent England wide poll. We spoke to Healthwatch Cornwall to find out more about changing attitudes to pharmacy services.

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

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    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.

  14. What do men think of health and care services?

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    Local Healthwatch go on tour to see what men in the pubs and clubs of Blackburn with Darwen really think about health and care services.

  15. Four ways GP practices can become dementia friendly

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    Find out how one local Healthwatch has been showing GP practices how small changes can make a big difference to patients’ experiences of visiting the doctor.

  16. What have people told us about health and social care

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    Thousands of people share their experiences of health and care with Healthwatch every month. Download our briefing to find out the key issues people are raising about GPs, hospitals and other care services.

  17. Addressing GP access issues for people in Hertfordshire

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    Patients struggling to access GP services helped by Healthwatch Hertfordshire

  18. Improving GP services for Deaf patients

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    With more than 11 million people in the UK with some form of hearing loss, it is important that health services understand their needs. Find out about the action one Healthwatch took when concerns were raised about accessing local GP services.

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

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

  20. Perspectives on primary care part 6: the Deaf community

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    To build on our understanding on people's experiences of primary care, we spoke to a group of people from the Deaf community in East London who told us about the challenges they experience.

  21. Perspectives on primary care part 5: young people

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    As part of our “Perspectives on primary care” series, which highlights the issues different people face, we hear what a group of young people have to say about their experiences of primary care.

  22. Perspectives on primary care part four: over 65s

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    In the latest in our series of blogs looking at the issues different groups of consumers face when using primary care services, we share what we found when we spoke to a group of over 65s, in partnership with Healthwatch Surrey.

  23. Improving access to GP services for people who are homeless

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    Most people take access to a GP for granted but if you become homeless, it’s not always so easy.

  24. New GP surgery to open thanks to local Healthwatch

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    When people complained that they couldn’t get GP appointments in Tottenham Hale, local Healthwatch decided to find out the root cause of the problem.

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

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    Read our new report on how people want to play a bigger role in looking after their own health and care and what would support them to do that.

  26. People's views help GPs spot ways to improve care

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    8 in 10 people report a good overall experience of their GP service, but when we ask people to tell us more, they say there is still room for improvement. Find out how one local Healthwatch is helping to change GP surgeries in Camden.

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

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    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.

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

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

  29. People's experiences of primary care

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

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

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    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.

  31. Major issues with GP access being tackled in Derby

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    Many people in Derby face significant issues accessing GPs. Healthwatch Derby City listened to people views and called for change.

  32. Consumer champion to explore public’s role in driving change in Health and Care

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    Healthwatch England launches its 12 week consultation to help shape our strategy for the next two years.

  33. Disabled people struggling to access GP appointments

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    Most people say they are satisfied with their GP but research from our network suggests that there are significant issues of concern for some groups of people, particularly for those with hearing, visual and mobility problems.

  34. Perspectives on primary care part 2: British Pakistani women

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    Being able to access primary care services is a key concern that the public have raised with local Healthwatch. In our latest blog we share the views of one group of British Pakistani women from Waltham Forest.

  35. Healthwatch Islington helps people claim back healthcare travel costs

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    The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme exists to help people on lower incomes recover the cost of travelling to and from NHS treatment, but how easy is it to use? Healthwatch Islington conducted a ‘mystery shopping’ exercise to find out.

  36. More GP appointments to be offered face-to-face to those who need it

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    NHS England has issued new guidance to GP practices across the country on facilitating more face-to-face appointments for patients.

  37. Perspectives on primary care part 1: Mothers of young children

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    Being able to access primary care services is a key concern that the public have raised with local Healthwatch. Our first in a series of blogs focuses on what one group of mothers in Southend-on-Sea told us.

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

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    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.

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

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    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.

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

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    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.

  41. Are you or your loved one waiting to get a GP referral? Share your views

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    Have you or your loved one struggled to get a GP referral for tests or treatment?

  42. More than half of people with chronic and long-term conditions not asked to feed back about their care

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    Our latest findings show that people with chronic and long-term health conditions often miss out on giving their feedback about care. As part of the Because We All Care campaign, we are working with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to change this.

  43. Our position on GP access

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    GPs are often the first port of call for onward support. Unfortunately, people tell us it’s difficult to get a GP appointment. Read our insight and the recommendations we’ve made to decision-makers on how people’s experiences can be improved.

  44. Healthwatch Hackney wins award for making it easier for refugees to see a GP

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    Healthwatch Hackney wins Impact Award in a tight competition showcasing the outstanding work done by local Healthwatch over the last year.

  45. GP surgery reverses plan to reduce opening hours thanks to residents speaking up

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    Being able to visit the GP when you need help is something, we often take for granted. See how by speaking up, local residents secured better opening hours for their community.

  46. Are you struggling to access health and care services this winter? 

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    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.

  47. Patients and public need urgent reassurance on NHS winter crisis and recovery

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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.