1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Closing gaps in dental provision in Bradford and Kirklees

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    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.

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

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

  7. How Deaf friendly is your dental surgery?

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    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.

  8. Warnings of dentistry crisis as public concerns continue

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    We urge the Government to take urgent action to address issues with access to NHS dental care as we continue to hear from people about their poor experiences.

  9. Twin crisis of access and affordability calls for a radical rethink of NHS dentistry

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    New data indicates the dental crisis shows no signs of slowing, with four in five people (80%) struggling to access timely care during the last COVID-19 lockdown.

  10. What's the point? Nothing ever changes

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    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.

  11. Healthwatch Network Awards 2021: Shortlist announced

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

  12. NHS dentistry: We have co-signed an open letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer

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    We have co-signed an open letter addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak calling for a recovery plan for NHS dentistry.

  13. BBC investigation on NHS dentistry - our response

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    A new investigation from BBC News and the British Dental Association has found nine in 10 NHS dental practices across the UK are not accepting new adult patients for treatment under the health service. Read our response.

  14. Our position on NHS dentistry

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    Communities across England have made it clear that NHS dentistry needs to be fixed – so it’s affordable and accessible. Read more about our evidence and what changes we’re calling for the NHS and Government to make.

  15. Cost of living - a barrier to healthcare for the most vulnerable

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    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.

  16. New report calls for fundamental reform of NHS dental care

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    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.

  17. Annual NHS Dental Statistics for England - our response

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    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.

  18. Accessing health and care services when you live alone

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    We explore the three main challenges people face accessing health and care services when they live alone with limited or no support.

  19. The impact of waiting: the stories behind the numbers

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    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.

  20. 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.

  21. 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.

  22. Why it’s important to talk about end of life care

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    Dying matters week encourages people to speak more openly about dying and end of life care. Services need to hear about people's experiences if they hope to improve for the future. Here's what one man told us about his brother's experience.

  23. 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.

  24. How can we improve support for young carers?

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    Young carers have a lot of added responsibilities compared to other people their age. Find out four ways they’ve told us they could be better supported.

  25. What it means to be a young carer

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    The needs of young people looking after a relative with an illness or disability aren’t always understood, and they often don’t realise they are carers.

  26. Four ways carers told us they can be better supported

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    Carers play a vital role in supporting people who are frail, ill or disabled, but, in doing so, they often become vulnerable themselves. Find out four ways carers want to be better supported.

  27. Local Healthwatch calls on health and social care sector to help young carers

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    Young carers are often left feeling isolated when their caring responsibilities prevent them from accessing the same opportunities as their friends. Find out what one local Healthwatch has been doing to understand more about their experiences.

  28. Understanding the everyday experience of unpaid carers in Essex

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    Carers play a vital role in supporting people who are frail, ill or disabled, but, in doing so, carers often become vulnerable themselves. We look at one example of how local Healthwatch is working to find out if carers could be better supported.

  29. 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.

  30. Holistic welfare checks part of updated hospital discharge guidance

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    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.

  31. How has lockdown affected people's mental health and dignity?

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    New research highlights the challenges faced by health and social care services in England and the importance of feedback for improving care.

  32. 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.

  33. 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.

  34. 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. 

  35. Cancellations of NHS care are having serious impacts on two-thirds of patients

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    Our new research highlights that pressures in the NHS have serious consequences on people's lives and widen health inequalities.

  36. Our position on social care

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    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.