1. Where can I get help for health out of hours?

    Advice and Information -

    People are often in need of out-of-hours medical assistance. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.

  2. 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.

  3. Why are people struggling to get their medication?

    News -

    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.

  4. Our response to new CQC research on people's experience of raising a complaint

    Response -

    New research from the Care Quality Commission shows that people regret not raising concerns about their care - but those who do raise concerns see improvements.

  5. Digital resources to support #WhatWouldYouDo

    News -

    Download and view our digital tools so that people can have their say on how to improve their local NHS.

  6. What people have told us about health and social care: January to March 2019

    Report -

    Find out what the public have been telling us about health and social care from January - March this year.

  7. Why getting personal is important when it comes to health and care

    News -

    Read a summary of our latest research to find out why personalised care is important.

  8. What people have told us about health and social care: April to June 2019

    Report -

    Find out what the public have been telling us about health and social care from April to June this year.

  9. Would you use a pharmacist instead of visiting your GP for advice?

    News -

    One in three people said yes when asked this question in a recent England wide poll. We spoke to Healthwatch Cornwall to find out more about changing attitudes to pharmacy services.

  10. Exploring sexual health support in Southwark: pharmacies

    News -

    Five ways pharmacies can improve sexual health support for young people.

  11. 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.

  12. How can we make buying medication online safe?

    Response -

    The Care Quality Commission is calling on people to act with caution when using online medical services.

  13. What do people think of community pharmacists?

    News -

    Over the last year, local Healthwatch across the country have been finding out about people's experiences of pharmacies. Find out what people have told us.

  14. Making sure medicine is safe for everyone

    Advice and Information -

    Have you or a family member had a side effect after taking medicines? Find out why it's important to share your experience to make medicine safer for everyone.

  15. Have your say on which products should be available on prescription

    News -

    The NHS wants to know which drugs and treatments you think should be made available on prescription.

  16. What have people told us about health and social care

    News -

    Thousands of people share their experiences of health and care with Healthwatch every month. Download our briefing to find out the key issues people are raising about GPs, hospitals and other care services.

  17. How can your pharmacy help you?

    Advice and Information -

    Did you know that pharmacies provide advice and information on minor illnesses and ailments? Find out how they can help you.

  18. What people are telling us: October - December 2019

    Report -

    Find out what the public has been telling us about health and social care from October to December. This briefing also looks at and examines emerging themes across services, focusing on healthcare for trans people, and access to wheelchair services.

  19. 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.

  20. COVID-19: What people are telling us about their care

    Report -

    Find out what the public has been telling us about health and social care from April - June 2020, including the key issues people have faced because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  21. What is the COVID-19 vaccine and how do I get it?

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at what you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccination programme, including where to go and why it's important.

  22. Primary Care: A review of local Healthwatch reports

    Report -

    Find out what we found when our network spoke to more than 11,000 people and visited over 550 GP surgeries, pharmacies and opticians across the country.

  23. What help do you need to look after your health in the future?

    Report -

    By analysing over 11,000 conversations the Healthwatch network has had with the public about this issue, we found five common areas where people wanted to see improvement.

  24. People's experiences of primary care

    Report -

    Most people when surveyed say that they are satisfied with the care they get from primary care services, but this does not tell the full story.

  25. Healthwatch Network Awards 2021: Shortlist announced

    News -

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

  26. What is flu and how do I get the flu vaccine?

    Advice and Information -

    Understanding the symptoms of flu and what the flu vaccine is helps you make informed decisions about your health.

  27. What is SAD, and how can you manage it?

    Advice and Information -

    Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression triggered by seasonal changes. One in twenty people in the UK are diagnosed with the condition, with men more likely to be diagnosed with SAD than women.

  28. Looking after your health during the cost of living crisis.

    Advice and Information -

    The continuing cost of living crisis is negatively affecting people's physical and mental wellbeing, with vulnerable people and those on lower incomes hit the hardest.

  29. Our position on women's health

    News -

    Take a look at our work on women's health concerns, and what we're calling for to improve and tackle health inequalities.

  30. How can you save money on your Hormone Replacement Therapy?

    Advice and Information -

    A new scheme could see women across England save hundreds of pounds a year on their Hormone Replacement Therapy with a prepayment certificate.

  31. Primary care recovery plan – what does it mean for you and your loved ones?

    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.

  32. Cost of living - a barrier to healthcare for the most vulnerable

    News -

    The cost of living is having a detrimental impact on people's decisions about their healthcare. But if you are disabled, on means-tested benefits or aged 18-24, you're more likely to avoid vital health services due to the fear of extra costs. We set out immediate actions for the government and the NHS.

  33. How do I get a fit note?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what a ‘fit note’ is, when you might need one and how to get one.

  34. What help can you get to pay for your prescriptions?

    Advice and Information -

    The cost of living crisis has put many people under financial strain, and prescription costs are more than some can afford. Find out what help is out there to help you cover the cost of your medication.

  35. Your experiences of getting prescription medication

    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.

  36. Find out if you're eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine

    News -

    NHS England is moving forward the timetable for the autumn COVID-19 and flu vaccine rollouts.

  37. Third of people in England lack confidence they can access critical NHS services

    News -

    Our new research shows worryingly low public confidence in being able to access NHS services. A third of adults in England lack confidence that they can access timely care, including GP services, mental health support and hospital care. Read the findings and our calls to action.

  38. Accessing health and care services when you live alone

    News -

    We explore the three main challenges people face accessing health and care services when they live alone with limited or no support.

  39. Why meeting patients’ communication needs is crucial

    Blog -

    Good communication with patients goes a long way.

  40. A vision for health and care: What do patients want?

    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.

  41. The impact of waiting: the stories behind the numbers

    News -

    With the NHS under immense pressure, we look at the impact that waiting for a diagnosis, test, or treatment can have on individuals and some of the potential solutions that might help.

  42. People are your partners in care, so involve them in shaping services

    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.

  43. The NHS working with people and communities

    Report -

    This briefing shows how engagement and participation with people and communities can deliver real benefits to the health and care system.

  44. Strengthening primary and community care services

    Report -

    This briefing shows how people's experiences can be used to support the development of a long-term vision for the NHS to strengthen these services.