1. How does living in a rural area affect access to healthcare?

    News -

    One man shares his views about how NHS services where he lives should change.

  2. Five things that would make cancer care better

    News -

    A terminal cancer patient shares what she thinks would make support better for others.

  3. Thank you: Over 18,000 people say what they think would make the NHS better

    News -

    Thousands of people tell Healthwatch how they want local health services to improve.

  4. 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.

  5. Shortlist showcase - Championing diversity and inclusion

    News -

    With a diverse population, it’s important that local services understand what their communities need, and that they don’t try and follow a one size fits all approach. Take a look at who has been shortlisted for our Diversity and Inclusion award.

  6. Healthwatch Network Awards 2019 shortlist announced

    News -

    After receiving over 145 entries, we are pleased to announce the finalists for the Healthwatch Network Awards 2019.

  7. The Children and Families Act: five years on

    News -

    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.

  8. There and back - what people tell us about their experiences of travelling to and from NHS services

    Report -

    Find out what's working well for people and what needs to improve when it comes to people's experiences of travelling to and from NHS appointments, in our new briefing.

  9. Helping Hertfordshire’s transgender community get the support they need

    News -

    A survey conducted by charity Viewpoint found that there was just one support group for this community, that people wanted better information about the help available.

  10. 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.

  11. Improving access to services for people with learning disabilities

    News -

    In some instances, people with learning disabilities cannot access the support they need to live independently. We look at how one local Healthwatch has been working to challenge unequal access to services for people in their area.

  12. Healthwatch awards shortlist announced

    News -

    The shortlist has been unveiled for the 2016 Healthwatch Network Awards. The annual awards celebrate the difference local Healthwatch across the country have made to health and social care at a local and national level.

  13. Four ways your views have helped make health and care accessible

    News -

    We take a look at how people's experiences across England have already helped to challenge barriers and improve accessibility in health and care.

  14. Involving local people in improving disability access

    News -

    Find out what happened when one Healthwatch Bolton worked with their local hospital to improve access for people with disabilities.

  15. Helping the Somali community get the support they need

    News -

    With a diverse population, it is important that local health and care services understand the needs of every section of their community. Read one example of how local Healthwatch is helping this to happen.

  16. Local people share their experiences of using gender identity services

    News -

    Find out what people in Devon told their local Healthwatch about their experiences of using gender identity services.

  17. Three ways Healthwatch are making sure everyone’s voice gets heard

    News -

    Last year local Healthwatch engaged over 300,000 people across England to help understand people’s experiences of care, but how do they do it?

  18. What do men think of health and care services?

    News -

    Local Healthwatch go on tour to see what men in the pubs and clubs of Blackburn with Darwen really think about health and care services.

  19. Empowering prisoners to make their voices heard

    News -

    Local Healthwatch aim to speak to every section of their community about their experiences of care. This is not always straightforward, as Healthwatch Peterborough found out when they worked to engage with prisoners.

  20. Local Healthwatch works to improve advocacy for transgender people

    News -

    People who identify as transgender can face problems and prejudice accessing health and social care services. We speak to Healthwatch Brighton and Hove to find out what they are doing to help ensure people get the support they need.

  21. Action on improving services for children with special educational needs

    News -

    Young people with special educational needs find learning more difficult than most people their age.

  22. Tired of explaining: the experiences of people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

    News -

    When Healthwatch Trafford spoke to people with ME and CFS, they found that over 76% felt their GP didn’t understand their condition. Find out how they think support could be improved.

  23. Fewer hospital appointments missed thanks to one simple idea

    News -

    Find out how one simple suggestion from deaf people in Dudley led to a better experience of visiting hospital.

  24. Making your voice count 2019

    Report -

    Take a look at the award winning stories from this year's Healthwatch Network Awards.

  25. How one man helped make cancer care better by sharing his experience

    News -

    Before he sadly passed away in May 2019, Mike Chapman went out of his way to use his experience to help make care better for people affected by cancer. Mike was recognised for his outstanding achievement at the Healthwatch Network Awards 2019.

  26. NHS England working to improve communications with people who are transgender or non-binary

    News -

    NHS England publish their first in their series of regular updates about what they are doing to improve gender identity services.

  27. Improving GP services for Deaf patients

    News -

    With more than 11 million people in the UK with some form of hearing loss, it is important that health services understand their needs. Find out about the action one Healthwatch took when concerns were raised about accessing local GP services.

  28. Perspectives on primary care part 6: the Deaf community

    News -

    To build on our understanding on people's experiences of primary care, we spoke to a group of people from the Deaf community in East London who told us about the challenges they experience.

  29. Trans healthcare: What can we learn from people’s experiences?

    Blog -

    We examine what the NHS can do to improve health support for the trans community.

  30. What is domestic abuse and how can I get support?

    Advice and Information -

    If you are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who might be, find out where you can go for advice and help.

  31. Improving access to GP services for people who are homeless

    News -

    Most people take access to a GP for granted but if you become homeless, it’s not always so easy.

  32. We must do all we can to combat health inequalities

    Response -

    Read our response to evidence from Public Health England that COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities.

  33. Our equality, diversity and inclusion statement and action plan

    Report -

    Equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of our values. This statement and plan shows how we plan to ensure everyone should have a fair and equal experience using health and social care, particularly those who may face discrimination.

  34. Perspectives on primary care part 3: The Roma Community in Bradford

    News -

    People have told us that being able to access primary care services is a major concern. As part of our investigation into people’s experiences of using services, we are sharing a series of blogs setting out what different consumer groups told us.

  35. How Deaf friendly is your dental surgery?

    News -

    A trip to the dentist should be straightforward. But for people who are Deaf it can be extremely difficult when services aren't accessible. We spoke to Mark, a Deaf patient in Wokingham about his experience as a mystery shopper.

  36. Improving access to health services for the deaf community

    News -

    Health and care services need to be accessible for everyone, but those who are deaf often face problems. Healthwatch Bedford Borough share how they are working to achieve change in their area.

  37. Action needed on gender reassignment surgery delays

    News -

    Local Healthwatch across the country are hearing reports of long delays for access to consultations and surgery for people waiting for gender reassignment surgery, but how long should people wait?

  38. Our annual report 2019-20

    Report -

    Since COVID-19 struck, the work of the Healthwatch network to support and listen to local people became more crucial than ever. Find out more in our 2019-20 annual report to Parliament about how we have helped make care better.

  39. Tackling unfair health differences will need those in power to listen

    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.

  40. Perspectives on primary care part 2: British Pakistani women

    News -

    Being able to access primary care services is a key concern that the public have raised with local Healthwatch. In our latest blog we share the views of one group of British Pakistani women from Waltham Forest.

  41. Tackling inequalities in health and care

    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.

  42. Our strategy 2021-2026

    Report -

    Read our strategy to find out about the difference we want to make by 2026 in partnership with local Healthwatch.

  43. VacciNation: Exploring vaccine confidence

    Report -

    Our new research explores vaccine confidence amongst people from African, Bangladeshi, Caribbean, and Pakistani backgrounds. We want to understand these barriers to ensure key lessons are taken forward for future public health campaigns.

  44. Do you need proof of address to register with a GP?

    News -

    The answer is, in short no, but this was one of the 10 common problems we found when our network spoke to over 11,000 people about their experiences of primary care. Here are examples of what local Healthwatch have been doing to tackle this problem.

  45. Locked out: Digitally excluded people’s experiences of remote GP appointments

    Report -

    The move to more digitally-led healthcare has worked well for some but excluded others over the past year. Our report explores how people have been excluded and what needs to happen to get the care they need.

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

    News -

    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.

  47. Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion - Our plan for 2021-22

    Report -

    Find out how we will continue to put Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the heart of our work.

  48. People living in the poorest areas waiting longer for hospital treatment

    News -

    The King’s Fund and Healthwatch England jointly call for urgent action to address hospital waiting lists and improve patients’ experience of delays to treatment