1. Families fight to save local respite service

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    Thanks to a group of families in Hertfordshire, changes are being made to respite care and support for families of children with complex needs.

  2. Eight indicators of quality in care homes

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    Working with older people, their families and care experts, the charity Independent Age has developed a set of quality indicators which Healthwatch Camden helped test during their visits to local care homes.

  3. Encouraging people to plan for care needs ‘just in case’ is biggest hurdle for the Government’s Green Paper

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    New research suggests a lack of information and support is preventing people from thinking about the care they may want or need in the future.

  4. New research shows what it’s like trying to find and access help when you're a carer

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    Our new briefing published today brings together the views and experiences of 5,447 carers from over 27 communities across England.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. Five ways services can use complaints to make social care better

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    When people complain about poor care, it can be a real opportunity for services to listen and change. We’ve highlighted five ways services can do this.

  9. We urge councils to promote a culture of learning from complaints

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    Local authorities focus on reporting the number of complaints they receive rather than communicating what they are learning. We call for complaints managers to be given more support to help demonstrate how councils respond to feedback from residents.

  10. Shortlist showcase: Outstanding individuals who’ve made a difference

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    Our Outstanding individuals who’ve made a difference award celebrates volunteers who have gone above and beyond to put people at the heart of care. Take a look at the shortlist.

  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. Choosing care can be stressful

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    Choosing care services for a loved one is more stressful than getting married, according to new research.

  13. Putting people at the centre of their care

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    Guidance from NICE, developed with the help of Healthwatch Surrey, highlights how you should be an equal partner in your care. Alice Maynard, Chair of the Guideline Committee explains more.

  14. Are people experiencing problems accessing social care support?

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    Concerns raised by the public indicate services need better information to ensure timely support to those in need.

  15. Tell us your views to help improve social care

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    With social care services under pressure, the Government has announced it will publish a Green Paper on social care next summer.

  16. Every voice matters: Newcastle residents help transform local home care services

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    When home care services were due to be recommissioned in Newcastle, local Healthwatch went out to speak to people being looked after in their own homes to find out what they wanted.

  17. Home care services: What people told Healthwatch about their experiences

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    Over the last year, the number of local Healthwatch citing improvements to home care services as a priority for their community has doubled. Our new report explains what people have told Healthwatch about their experience of home care.

  18. Islington resident helps make phoning social workers easier

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    Angela’s idea has helped make it easier for people in Islington to speak to their social worker on the phone.

  19. Life in a care home, what's it really like?

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    Between January 2016 and April 2017, local Healthwatch visited 197 care homes across 63 different local authority areas in England to find out what life is really like for people living in care homes. Our new report explains what we found.

  20. Helping residents in care homes to remain active

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    The quality of support offered in care homes has improved because residents spoke up about what they wanted.

  21. Healthwatch 2019 Network Award Winners announced

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    Find out about our celebration of the contribution made by local staff and volunteers who helped gather more than half a million people's views last year.

  22. 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.

  23. New drive to improve social care complaints handling

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    Listening to feedback and learning from it is vital to improve quality of service. We have launched a new toolkit to help councils, care staff and services work together to build a positive culture around complaints and the opportunities to learn.

  24. Speaking up helps improve care for sheltered housing residents

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    A 96-year-old sheltered housing resident and manager have helped improve ambulance services in Dorset.

  25. Understanding people's experiences of home care in Bexley

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    Recent reports have raised significant concerns about the quality and reliability of some home care services. Hear how one local Healthwatch has worked to gain an understanding of people's experiences of home care.

  26. Are people waiting too long to be assessed for social care support?

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    This is the question we are working with local Healthwatch to find out.

  27. Making care homes a better place to live

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    With over a quarter of a million older people living in care homes, what is local Healthwatch doing to make sure these services meet the needs of residents?

  28. Local Healthwatch challenges council to cut care waiting times

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    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.

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

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    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.

  30. 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.

  31. Local Healthwatch raise concerns about home care in Torbay

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    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.

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

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    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.

  33. Healthwatch Awards 2020: Shortlist announced

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

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

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    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.

  35. Healthwatch Network Awards 2021: Shortlist announced

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    Find out who’s in the running for a Healthwatch network award this year

  36. Our position on patient transport

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    Getting to healthcare appointments can be impossible for some people – especially those who cannot travel or afford it. Find out what we’ve recommended decision-makers do to improve the situation.

  37. 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.

  38. 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.

  39. Building digital skills and reducing health inequalities for the Nepalese community

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    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.

  40. Breaking down barriers to life saving screenings

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    Healthwatch Bolton helped to arrange walk-in cervical cancer screening clinics in the community, removing barriers to lifesaving healthcare.

  41. On the right path to improving hospital discharge for patients

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    Thanks to people sharing their views with Healthwatch, local leaders have invested £17m to improve hospital discharge – read more.

  42. Self advocacy success as breast screening recall letters available in easy-read nationwide

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    When one person advocates for themselves for better health care and improved accessibility, we all benefit.

  43. Why does accessible healthcare matter? - Karl's story

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    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.

  44. Celebrating 75 years of our NHS and the people improving care

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    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. 

  45. Our position on the COVID-19 Inquiry

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    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.