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We share how your feedback has improved hospital waiting rooms for people with sensory disabilities.Blog -
The manager of a care home in Devon tells us that feedback from her residents’ loved ones has helped to provide the best possible level of care.Blog -
The pandemic has seen a rapid roll-out of virtual NHS consultations. Working with National Voices, Traverse, and PPL, we've found out how they are working for people, and how to get the most out of the virtual health and care appointments.Blog -
Find out how Healthwatch Wiltshire worked with other organisations to improve dementia care, winning them the awards for 'The impact we make with partners' at this year's Healthwatch network awards.Blog -
Two volunteers from Healthwatch Northamptonshire worked with a local hospital to make real changes for the patients. Find out why this important work won them a 2020 Healthwatch network award.Blog -
Healthwatch Leeds used people’s experiences of mental health crisis support to improve services for those who need them. The impact of this work has won them a 2020 Healthwatch Network Award.Blog -
In our annual report to Parliament, our Chair Sir Robert Francis QC reflects on the role the public can play in tackling the challenges brought about by COVID-19.Blog -
During COVID-19, people have relied on NHS 111 more than ever to get urgent medical advice. Our latest research looks at people's experiences of NHS 111 and awareness of the new A&E time slot booking service.Blog -
Our updated strategy includes a stronger focus to understand and amplify the views of those who are not heard by health and care services. Our national director explains why.Blog -
Lack of access to NHS dentistry has intensified as an issue for people over the last 18 months. Our latest research is a stark reminder that it is an issue decision-makers must react to now, to protect our health.Blog -
So you can take part in our campaign Your Care, Your Way, we have created our survey in several alternative formats, including Easy Read.
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People with little or no English struggle at all points of their healthcare journey. Our new research shines a light on barriers and delays to care they often experience and calls for equal access for all.Blog -
Get to know some of our volunteers below and find out what they've learnt during their time at Healthwatch.Blog -
Social care support changes people’s lives but sadly, not everyone gets the support they need. We want to understand what life is like when you can’t get support or if the support you get just isn’t enough.
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Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we asked people about their experiences of getting mental health support. Three years on, we look at what has changed and the questions the NHS needs to answer.Blog -
Jo lives with mental health challenges, including depression and borderline personality disorder. They share their story of waiting for the right support and explain how the NHS could improve their life.Blog -
Ian shares his story of trying to access mental health support and its impact on his wellbeing. Do you have an account that NHS services could learn from?Blog -
The NHS has announced a new plan and more money to improve support for Long Covid. Find out how the experiences you shared helped make the difference.Blog -
It's easy to think that the feedback you give us doesn't make a difference. We want to show you how this isn't the case.Blog -
Find out how to contact us using a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter.Blog -
Would you know where to turn for social care support? New polling finds over 40% of people don’t. This confusion can result in people not getting the care they need. Read our latest findings.
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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.
