1. Our position on the Duty of candour

    Response -

    Our perspective on the commission to review the proposed extension to the Duty of Candour.

  2. Nearly a fifth confess to knowingly using A&E for non-emergencies

    News -

    Nearly a fifth confess to knowingly using A&E for non-emergencies.

  3. Taking public concern about data sharing to NHS England

    News -

    Despite a nationwide mail-out campaign, people are still largely in the dark about plans to share their personal medical records, according to reports we have received.

  4. Local patient voice short changed by 10 million pounds

    News -

    Our analysis shows that around a quarter of the £43.5 million made available by the Department of Health to fund local Healthwatch has failed to materialise in local Healthwatch accounts.

  5. Our public Committee Meeting February 2014 - supporting materials

    Report -

    Find out what happened at our public Committee Meeting.

  6. Our public Committee meeting May 2014 - supporting materials

    Report -

    Take a look at the papers for our Committee meeting.

  7. Our response to NHS England's Delayed Transfers of Care Statistics

    Response -

    Latest statistics show an overall increase in delayed discharge from hospital settings over 12 months

  8. Our response to NICE safe staffing advice for nursing care in wards

    Response -

    New guidance from NICE aims to help hospitals have a safe level of hospital staff to ensure good patient care.

  9. Our strategy 2014/16

    Report -

    Our strategy for 2014/16 sets out how, by working together, the Healthwatch network will truly champion the interests of those who use health and social care services. 

  10. Our business plan 2014/15

    Report -

    Find out what we will do in the year ahead.

  11. Our concerns about reduced local accountability arrangements

    Response -

    We have written to the Secretary of State about our concerns about reduced local accountability arrangements around commissioning.

  12. Local people being cut out of decision making about their health services

    News -

    The way decisions are made about local health services is changing. Early indications from local Healthwatch suggest that this is resulting in the public feeling less able to have their say.

  13. Our public Committee meeting July 2014 - supporting materials

    Report -

    Find out what happened at our public Committee Meeting.

  14. Our response to CQC special measures report

    Response -

    The Care Quality Commission has released a report into progress made at 11 NHS trusts that were put into special measures in July 2013.

  15. Our letter to the Local Government Association about CCG public involvement

    Response -

    We have written to the Local Government Association to discuss how we can work together to ensure that Clinical Commissioning Groups involve the public in decision making processes.

  16. Our letter to NHS England about CCG public involvement

    Response -

    We have written to NHS England to assess to Clinical Commissioning Groups can involve local Healthwatch in changes to how health and care services are run.

  17. NHS complaints data is just ‘tip of the iceberg’

    News -

    Our new analysis of complaints data shows that over half a million incidents of poor care across NHS went unreported in last two years

  18. Bringing the voice of consumers to Parliament

    News -

    Healthwatch from across England share their concerns in Westminster to make sure people can have their say about changes to health services in their area.

  19. More reassurance needed about how medical records are being used by government

    News -

    We share our views on government plans to provide medical researchers and NHS managers with access to people’s personal medical records.

  20. Our financial performance and position 2013/14

    Report -

    Find out about more about our financial performance and position for the financial year 2013/14.

  21. Renewed efforts required to create compassionate complaints system

    News -

    Our new report highlights the complexity of the process someone needs to follow to make a complaint about their health or social care service.

  22. Our Annual Report 2013/14

    Report -

    Our Annual Report, Loud and Clear: Making your voice heard highlights our work and the work of the Healthwatch network over the past 12 months.

  23. Suffering in silence

    Report -

    This report highlights what people have told the Healthwatch network about their experience of making a complaint about health and social care services.

  24. Trouble finding an NHS dentist? You're not alone...

    Advice and Information -

    People all across the country are venting increasing frustration about access to and the quality of NHS dentistry services. Find out more below.

  25. Our public Committee Meeting October 2014 - supporting materials

    Report -

    Find out what happened at our public Committee Meeting.

  26. The State of Support 2014/15

    Report -

    Find out what funding the Healthwatch network has received to carry out its statutory activities for 2014/15.

  27. Using people’s views of good complaint handling to improve experiences

    News -

    New joint report highlights what people can expect when making a complaint about health and social care services.

  28. My expectations for raising concerns and complaints

    Report -

    What should people expect when it comes to raising concerns and complaints about health and social care? Our new report explains.

  29. Don’t blame patients for the bed crisis

    News -

    New figures show a significant increase in the number of delayed transfers of people between hospitals, care homes and community services. We look at what people are telling Healthwatch about their experience.

  30. Our response to the legal Duty of Candour coming into force for health and social care organisations

    Response -

    New law to help improve patient safety, transparency and leadership in the NHS.

  31. Our response to the CQC's national A&E survey

    Response -

    The CQC has today published their latest survey results about people’s experiences of emergency departments in England.

  32. Those who witness poor care being denied right to complain by NHS

    News -

    New research shows 1 in 3 of hospitals across England are turning away concerned citizens wishing to report incidents of poor care that they have witnessed.

  33. Hospital policies on making a complaint - FOI results

    Report -

    Our new evidence raises further concerns about the defensive and obstructive culture around complaints in the NHS.

  34. NHS steps up a gear to get people home for Christmas

    News -

    People waiting to leave hospital are discharged more quickly and efficiently in the run up to Christmas than at any other time of year.

  35. Meet our new Committee members

    News -

    We're delighted to welcome seven new members to the Healthwatch England Committee.

  36. How can we improve support for young carers?

    News -

    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.

  37. What it means to be a young carer

    News -

    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.

  38. Our public Committee Meeting January 2018 supporting materials

    Report -

    Find out what happened at our public Committee Meeting.

  39. How are people’s views influencing health reforms?

    News -

    Across the country reforms are underway to ensure that health and social care services provide a good quality and seamless experience for people. The public understand the need for change, but also want to be involved in decisions.

  40. Do you understand how hospitals, GPs and care services are changing in your area?

    News -

    Our country’s health and care services face big challenges. We are living longer, but more people need help with long-term health conditions, adding pressures to services. This demand for support comes at a time when the cost of care is increasing.

  41. A week in the life of a student volunteer

    News -

    Last year 4,700 volunteers gave up time to help their local Healthwatch make a difference to health and social care in their community.

  42. Putting people at the centre of their care

    News -

    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.

  43. What I learned from volunteering as a student

    News -

    Volunteers play a vital role at Healthwatch, helping the public have their say in health and social care. To celebrate Student Volunteering Week, we spoke to Helen about what she learned during her time as a student volunteer with Healthwatch Leeds.

  44. Choosing care can be stressful

    News -

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

  45. Healthwatch England’s National Director gives evidence to Health and Social Care Select Committee

    News -

    Health and social care services are changing, but how effective are they at involving the public? Our National Director shared the experiences of local Healthwatch with the Health and Social Care Select Committee.

  46. Our response to National Audit Office report on emergency readmission to hospital

    Response -

    New report from the National Audit Office examines the progress that has been made to reduce the impact of emergency admissions on acute hospitals.

  47. Our response to the Competition and Markets Authority's report on care homes

    Response -

    The Department of Health and Social Care has today responded to the Competition Markets Authority’s study of the care home market.

  48. What are people’s concerns about proposed changes to NHS prescriptions?

    News -

    With one week left to respond to NHS proposals to curb prescriptions for certain treatments available over the counter, find out about the concerns the public have shared with us.