1. It's easier to choose a care home in Durham thanks to Tony

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    After struggling to find the right information when choosing a care home for his mum, Tony decided to take matters into his own hands.

  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. 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.

  5. 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.

  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. Ask people what they want: The key to end of life care

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    A chaplain to a care home says it's vital we talk openly about dying.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. 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?

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. 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.

  21. Healthwatch Awards 2020: Shortlist announced

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

  22. 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.

  23. Healthwatch Network Awards 2021: Shortlist announced

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

  24. Healthwatch network award winners 2021 announced

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    Winners of the annual Healthwatch Awards, which celebrate the difference made by local Healthwatch staff and volunteers during the past 12 months, have been announced. Find out who won.

  25. 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.

  26. 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.