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

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    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.

  2. Encouraging people to plan for care needs ‘just in case’ is biggest hurdle for the Government’s Green Paper

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    New research suggests a lack of information and support is preventing people from thinking about the care they may want or need in the future.

  3. New research shows what it’s like trying to find and access help when you're a carer

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    Our new briefing published today brings together the views and experiences of 5,447 carers from over 27 communities across England.

  4. What's it like being a carer?

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    Our briefing published today brings together the views and experiences of 5,447 carers from over 27 communities across England. Take a look to see what people told Healthwatch about their experiences.

  5. My life as a carer – one of seven million stories

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    Three in five of us will become an unpaid carer at some point in our lives. Kate* tells us about what it was like becoming a carer for her husband and the difficulties they faced.

  6. Why it’s important to talk about end of life care

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    Dying matters week encourages people to speak more openly about dying and end of life care. Services need to hear about people's experiences if they hope to improve for the future. Here's what one man told us about his brother's experience.

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

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

  8. How to look after yourself whilst caring for someone else

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    Each day 6,000 people become carers. Looking after a loved one can be physically and emotionally exhausting so it's vital that you get the support you need. Find out how you can make sure you look after yourself.

  9. What support can I get as a carer?

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    Many people who provide unpaid care are unaware of their rights. Find out more about the help and support you are entitled to.

  10. Putting people at the centre of their care

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    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.

  11. How can we improve support for young carers?

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    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.

  12. What it means to be a young carer

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    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.

  13. Four ways carers told us they can be better supported

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    Carers play a vital role in supporting people who are frail, ill or disabled, but, in doing so, they often become vulnerable themselves. Find out four ways carers want to be better supported.

  14. Local Healthwatch calls on health and social care sector to help young carers

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    Young carers are often left feeling isolated when their caring responsibilities prevent them from accessing the same opportunities as their friends. Find out what one local Healthwatch has been doing to understand more about their experiences.

  15. Understanding the everyday experience of unpaid carers in Essex

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    Carers play a vital role in supporting people who are frail, ill or disabled, but, in doing so, carers often become vulnerable themselves. We look at one example of how local Healthwatch is working to find out if carers could be better supported.

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

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    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.

  17. Continence care - what are my options?

    Advice and Information -

    If you or a loved one are affected by incontinence, find out where you can go for support.

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

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    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

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    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

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    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. Focus on NHS Admin is needed to improve people’s experiences of care

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    In partnership with Healthwatch and National Voices, new findings from The King's Fund highlight the critical role of administration in how people experience care.

  22. Funding and support information for NHS Complaints Advocacy services - FOI results

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    Results from our Freedom of Information Request show care home residents and other social care users are not being given support to make a complaint about social care services.

  23. Holistic welfare checks part of updated hospital discharge guidance

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    The Government has recently updated national hospital discharge guidance, taking on board our key recommendations. Take a look at what the improvements mean for you.

  24. How to stay informed while you wait for care

    Advice and Information -

    The wait for planned medical care or surgery can be frustrating. That’s why you must get regular and accessible updates while you wait.

  25. What is adult social care?

    Advice and Information -

    Do you or a loved one need help with social care? Read the article below to find out answers to key questions about who can access adult social care and how to pay for it.

  26. How has lockdown affected people's mental health and dignity?

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    New research highlights the challenges faced by health and social care services in England and the importance of feedback for improving care.

  27. Shining a light on the struggles surrounding social care

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    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.

  28. Getting social care right starts with good information and advice

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    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.

  29. Are you struggling to access health and care services this winter? 

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    With the NHS under extra pressure this winter, we need to hear your experiences of care to help services understand what is working and spot issues affecting support for you and your loved ones.

  30. On the right path to improving hospital discharge for patients

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    Thanks to people sharing their views with Healthwatch, local leaders have invested £17m to improve hospital discharge – read more.

  31. Celebrating 75 years of our NHS and the people improving care

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    As we celebrate 75 years of our NHS and look to a future where everyone can get the care they need, we celebrate some of the people who took the time to share their experiences with us and helped make care better for everyone. 

  32. Cancellations of NHS care are having serious impacts on two-thirds of patients

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    Our new research highlights that pressures in the NHS have serious consequences on people's lives and widen health inequalities.

  33. Our position on social care

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    Getting good social care can make a big difference in someone's life. But are people always receiving the help they need? Find out what people have told us and how we think social care support could be improved.

  34. What are people telling us about accessing and paying for social care?

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    With nearly two million requests for adult social care support made each year, we look at what people tell us about this vital service.

  35. Strengthening primary and community care services

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    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.

  36. Improving people's care by working better together

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    Find out how the NHS can work better across teams to help people who are receiving care.