1. How can the NHS improve care for autistic people or people with a learning disability?

    News -

    Share your views to help improve support for people with a learning disability or autism in your area.

  2. Three ways the NHS can help autistic people or people with learning disabilities have a say

    News -

    Healthwatch volunteer June thinks services should support autistic people or people with a learning disability to share their feedback. Take a look at her top tips.

  3. The Children and Families Act: five years on

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    We take a look at the work Healthwatch have been doing with young people, and their families, to find out how health and education services are working together for people with additional needs.

  4. More focus needed on how people travel to and from NHS services

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    Together with two leading charities, we are raising awareness of the issues people facing travelling to and from NHS services. We will be working with NHS England to support their new national review of the links between the NHS and local transport.

  5. What do people think of autism services for children and young people?

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    There are around half a million people in England on the autism spectrum.

  6. Four ways your views are helping to improve care for people with autism

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    Around 700,000 people in the UK are autistic and it's vital that health services meet their needs. Here's four ways your views have been making sure people with autism are listened to.

  7. Faster diagnosis for those with autism

    News -

    Autism diagnosis waiting times was the top complaint received at Cheshire East Clinical Commissioning Group. The local Healthwatch listened to over 200 carers to find out more about their experiences.

  8. Volunteer shares experiences of Asperger’s Syndrome to encourage young people to speak up

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    A 24-year-old woman in Dorset has been leading the charge in helping health and care services in the county understand the issues affecting young people.

  9. What have people been telling us: July - September 2019

    Report -

    Find out what the public has been telling us about health and social care from July to September this year.

    This briefing also looks at emerging themes across services and examines what people have been telling us about support for incontinence.

  10. Six ways we can improve services for people with autism

    News -

    For most people, going to the doctor or dentist is a routine experience. However, if you have autism, accessing health and care support can be a difficult and stressful experience.

  11. Every Voice Matters - our Annual Report to Parliament 2015-16

    News -

    Published today, Every Voice Matters, our Annual Report to Parliament 2015-16, outlines how together we are putting people at the heart of care.

  12. Autism services for children and young people - findings from the Healthwatch network

    Report -

    Our new report highlights the four most common issues that people have told local Healthwatch they want to see improve.

  13. An open letter to NHS England to improve the Accessible Information Standard

    Response -

    We have written a letter to NHS England to express our disappointment at the lack of progress in reviewing the legally-binding Accessible Information Standard.

  14. Self advocacy success as breast screening recall letters available in easy-read nationwide

    News -

    When one person advocates for themselves for better health care and improved accessibility, we all benefit.

  15. What to expect after being referred for an autism assessment

    Advice and Information -

    Autism affects people in different ways. It can bring strengths and challenges that can affect how comfortable, healthy, and happy you feel. Here's what you should expect from an autism assessment, diagnosis and getting the proper support.

  16. The challenges neurodivergent people face receiving care

    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.

  17. ADHD and autism: Tackling the long wait for support

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    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.

  18. Top tips for recruiting volunteers

    News -

    Healthwatch East Sussex recently hit the news for the fantastic response they received as a result of their plea for volunteers. They tell us the secret of their success.

  19. Meet the people using their voice to make a difference to care of others

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    Five people and groups have been shortlisted for a national award that celebrates local people who, through their dedication, have helped improve health and care for their community.

  20. Speaking up saves lives in Bristol

    News -

    Thanks to Errol, more men in Bristol are aware of the signs of prostate cancer and are being diagnosed and treated.

  21. Getting the basics right for people who are Deaf

    News -

    Thanks to Sandra, NHS England is improving the way they communicate with people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

  22. Families fight to save local respite service

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    Thanks to a group of families in Hertfordshire, changes are being made to respite care and support for families of children with complex needs.

  23. Meet the health and social care staff who go the extra mile

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    In the run up to the 70th anniversary of the NHS, we are joining in the celebrations with the launch of a new award to recognise the outstanding contributions of health and care staff towards improving patient care. ​​​​​​​

  24. Stories of change - number 25 #NHS70 #ItStartsWithYou

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    To help celebrate 70 years of the NHS we're collecting 70 stories of how people's experiences are being used by health and care services and professionals to help make them better.

  25. Making it easier to share your feedback – a new Single Complaints Statement for social care

    Blog -

    We have worked with the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, as part of the Quality Matters initiative, to help make it easier for the public and professionals to understand how to make and respond to social care complaints.

  26. Healthwatch Network Awards 2018 shortlist announced

    News -

    After reviewing over 170 entries, we are pleased to announce all of the finalists for the Healthwatch Network Awards 2018.

  27. Eight indicators of quality in care homes

    News -

    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.

  28. Our Quality Statements

    Report -

    Each local Healthwatch works in an area with its own unique issues but there are specific statutory activities which every local Healthwatch must undertake and it is important that this work is consistent.

  29. Tell us your story about maternal mental health

    News -

    We want to know more about your experience of mental health support when planning to get pregnant, during pregnancy, at the birth of your child and afterwards.

  30. Work in the NHS? Five ways to let people know you’re using their views to improve care

    News -

    Every year, NHS and social care staff receive millions of pieces of feedback from those using services. Read these top tips to help ensure people know how you are using their feedback to improve care.

  31. Healthwatch 2018 network award winners announced

    News -

    The Healthwatch network came together to recognise some of the fantastic work of local community champions helping to improve the country’s hospitals, GPs and care services.

  32. A recap on what happened at #Healthwatch2018

    News -

    Hundreds of people from across the Healthwatch Network joined us at our sixth Annual Conference in Stratford-Upon-Avon.

  33. Making your voice count 2018

    Report -

    Read our award winning stories from this year's Healthwatch Network Awards.

  34. Healthwatch 2018 supporting materials

    Report -

    Attended Healthwatch 2018 and wanted to look back at some of the presentations from the sessions? Here we share supporting materials from the day.

  35. How much funding is your local Healthwatch receiving for 2018/19?

    News -

    Find out how much funding your local Healthwatch receives to help you have your say.

  36. Three common issues homeless people face when trying to access care

    News -

    With thousands of people at risk of homelessness this winter, we look at the common issues people who do not have a place to call home tell us they can face when it comes to health and care.

  37. Helping someone who is homeless access healthcare

    News -

    With many people sleeping rough, here's how health and care services can help those facing homelessness get the support they need.

  38. Three ways we are helping to amplify the voice of different communities

    Blog -

    Local Healthwatch aim to speak to every section of their community about their experiences of care. However, some communities face more issues than others when it comes to accessing the right support and find it difficult to have their views heard.

  39. New Long Term Plan is "just the start"

    News -

    The NHS in England has published a ten year plan setting its priorities for the future.

  40. Making it easier to access NHS services in Redbridge

    Blog -

    Despite the publication of the Accessible Information Standard nearly three years ago, people continue to tell Healthwatch about their struggle to access NHS services. Find out how Healthwatch Redbridge have been making a difference.

  41. Healthwatch brings people's voices to Westminster

    News -

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

  42. Where to go for support when you have an eating disorder

    Advice and Information -

    Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses that anyone can develop, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, or background. Take a look at some of the common signs of eating disorders and where to go for support if you need help.

  43. What does the evidence say about public engagement?

    Report -

    A research review highlights key themes and gaps in the evidence about involving people in decisions on health and care.

  44. What would you do? Alternative formats

    Report -

    Download and view our accessible versions of our surveys to better understand what you would do to improve your local NHS.