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Get to know some of our volunteers below and find out what they've learnt during their time at Healthwatch.Blog -
NHS 111 First is now obliged to offer pre-booked slots at A&E for people needing non-life-threatening care.Blog -
One in five people we spoke to with a GP referral for specialist care had bounced back to general practice. This suggests potentially serious issues with referral processes. We are calling for more to be done to understand people’s experiences.
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Our annual report demonstrates the power of public feedback to help services think about how care can be better. But, with the NHS facing such big challenges, public feedback is more critical than ever.
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We mark the difference the public has made in improving NHS and social care services.Blog -
Our latest research follows people's experiences of getting a GP referral. The process for many is long and often confusing. We need to address issues around people's GP referral journey so that it works for everyone.Blog -
Find out what was included in the recent urgent and emergency care recovery plan, and how this will affect services next winter.Blog -
Your experiences of maternal mental health care continue to shape NHS services, with NHS England recently announcing improvements to maternity and neo-natal services. Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing stories from new mothers to highlight the importance of delivering on those plans.Blog -
Research shows that continuity of carer is best practice in maternity care. Yet, the experiences of the new mothers we spoke to showed that services don’t always implement it. Read their stories.Blog -
NHS England has recently published its "Delivery plan for recovering access to primary care". We outline what the planned changes will mean for you.Blog -
A Leeds volunteer filmmaker shares why he volunteered at Healthwatch and how it helped him pursue a Television career.Blog -
Research shows mental health issues are widespread and of significant concern for new parents. Yet, the new mothers we interviewed faced substantial challenges in accessing mental health services. Read their stories.Blog -
The commitment to personalised care has been a cornerstone of NHS policy on maternity care for many years. A crucial part of personalised care is good communication, listening and agreeing on actions together. In this blog, we share new mothers' stories highlighting the role of communication and choice.Blog -
With the NHS turning 75 this week, our Chief Executive reflects on why listening to users of health and care services is so integral to improving the quality and safety of care.Blog -
Our research on GP referrals highlighted the frustration patients experience due to long waits and a lack of support. This latest analysis looks at people’s experience of getting a cancer referral.Blog -
With nearly two million requests for adult social care support made each year, we look at what people tell us about this vital service.Blog -
Neurodiversity is a word used to describe the different thinking styles that affect how people communicate with the world around them. It includes dyslexia, autism, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette's Syndrome and more. Neurodivergent people encounter challenges accessing services which meet their needs.Blog -
People rely on prescription medication to treat and manage their conditions and keep well. In our new blog, we highlight the challenges people have recently told us about when trying to get prescription medication.Blog -
Good communication with patients goes a long way.Blog -
The statutory inquiry into how nurse Lucy Letby was able to murder seven babies is likely to result in lessons that the wider NHS needs to act on. One of the questions it will need to explore is how the NHS can tackle the culture of denial and secrecy that often lies at the heart of tragic scandals.Blog -
The public needs a bold vision for health and care services, informed by the wealth of patient experience we’ve collected over the past decade.Blog -
On this World Mental Health Day, we're looking at people's recent experiences of mental health services. With GPs often acting as the front door for mental health support, we've also analysed our evidence about getting a GP referral for mental health. Read about what people told us and what this means for healthcare leaders.Blog -
Chris McCann, Director of Communications Insight and Campaigns at Healthwatch England, explains the role people can play in improving health outcomes in their communities.Blog -
We share the key trends in what people from different ethnic minority groups are telling us, and propose steps the NHS can take towards equity in care.Blog -
As Remembrance Day approaches, we hear from army veteran Shaun about how long waiting times affected his ability to access NHS care.Blog -
Our research reveals worrying problems with hospital discharge arrangements. Many people told us they are not given the right support or information when being discharged from hospital. Read their experiences and our calls to action.Blog -
Four areas where you can improve support for people diagnosed with diabetes.Blog -
Find out what's working and what could be better regarding people's right to choose where they receive treatment.Blog -
Access to care is the main concern people have shared with us in the past year. Our new report looking at health and social care from the patients' perspective has warned that we risk "a two-tier health and care system" unless the NHS takes faster action to tackle access issues.Blog -
As part of our report The public’s perspective: The state of health and social care, we have set out recommendations for decision makers across ten key areas.Blog -
Social care reform is desperately needed to ensure the public can get the help they're entitled to, and that teams have the support they need to deliver this care.Blog -
Long wait times for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) support can have a severe impact on individuals. We look at what people have already told us and urge you to come forward if you have been affected.Blog -
Homeless people have worse mental and physical health than the general population. Our research shows issues with access to the health and social care they need.
