1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Our response to NHS England's proposals to update the legislation for how the NHS works at a regional level

    Response -

    NHS England wants to change how NHS works at a regional level, read our response to their proposals.

  4. 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.

  5. Why don’t UK citizens complain about care services when things go wrong?

    News -

    As the All Party Parliamentary Group on Health meets to discuss patient complaints today, new poll reveals half of people who experience poor care want to complain but far fewer go on to do so.

  6. Our response to The British Dental Association's open letter to Matt Hancock about dental targets preventing patient care

    Response -

    The British Dental Association has issued an open letter to Health Secretary Matt Hancock after a leading UK dental chain has instructed dentists to limit urgent care, in order to meet unrealistic Government targets. Read our response.

  7. 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.

  8. Warnings of dentistry crisis as public concerns continue

    News -

    We urge the Government to take urgent action to address issues with access to NHS dental care as we continue to hear from people about their poor experiences.

  9. Health and Care White Paper - our response

    Response -

    We welcome the plans to strengthen health and care legislation set out in the White Paper today.

  10. Healthwatch marks network launch across five events in England simultaneously

    News -

    We celebrated the launch of the Healthwatch network on 1 April 2013 with a series of events across England.

  11. We warn councils funding cuts could mute patients voice

    News -

    Survey finds local Healthwatch areas being hit cover half of hospitals in special measures.

  12. Getting to vaccine centres more of a barrier for Black communities

    News -

    When it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine, much has been written about the mistrust among certain communities but is this the only factor preventing uptake?

  13. 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?

  14. 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.

  15. The NHS needs to listen to what patients have to say to improve future care

    Response -

    New findings from the Keogh Review show while there are examples of good care, there are areas where improvement is urgently required.

  16. 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.

  17. Public Committee Meeting March 2021

    Report -

    Take a look at our papers for our March Committee Meeting.

  18. Is NHS 111 First making a difference?

    Blog -

    During COVID-19, people have relied on NHS 111 more than ever to get urgent medical advice. Our latest research looks at people's experiences of NHS 111 and awareness of the new A&E time slot booking service.

  19. GP access during COVID-19

    Report -

    Our new report looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way people access their GP and how this affected people's experience of care.

  20. DNACPR review - the need for personalised, honest and sensitive conversations

    Response -

    Our response to CQC's report, ‘Protect, respect, connect – decisions about living and dying well during COVID-19.'

  21. Consumer champion to explore public’s role in driving change in Health and Care

    News -

    Healthwatch England launches its 12 week consultation to help shape our strategy for the next two years.

  22. Disabled people struggling to access GP appointments

    News -

    Most people say they are satisfied with their GP but research from our network suggests that there are significant issues of concern for some groups of people, particularly for those with hearing, visual and mobility problems.

  23. 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.

  24. 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.

  25. Response to death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

    Response -

    Sir Robert Francis QC, Chair of Healthwatch England responds on behalf of our staff and volunteers.

  26. 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.

  27. 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.

  28. Ombudsman reform only one part of the complaints puzzle

    News -

    We are calling on the Government to take action to reform the complaints system - our seven-point plan sets out how.

  29. 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

  30. 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.

  31. 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.

  32. 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.

  33. 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.

  34. The year ahead - Our plan for 2021 - 2022

    Report -

    Find out more about our plans for 2020-21.

  35. Healthwatch Islington helps people claim back healthcare travel costs

    News -

    The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme exists to help people on lower incomes recover the cost of travelling to and from NHS treatment, but how easy is it to use? Healthwatch Islington conducted a ‘mystery shopping’ exercise to find out.

  36. 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.

  37. Health and Social Care Committee Report: our response

    Response -

    We responded to Health and Social Care Committee (HSCC) report following the Government’s White Paper proposals for the reform of Health and Social Care.

  38. More GP appointments to be offered face-to-face to those who need it

    News -

    NHS England has issued new guidance to GP practices across the country on facilitating more face-to-face appointments for patients.

  39. Twin crisis of access and affordability calls for a radical rethink of NHS dentistry

    News -

    New data indicates the dental crisis shows no signs of slowing, with four in five people (80%) struggling to access timely care during the last COVID-19 lockdown.

  40. Perspectives on primary care part 1: Mothers of young children

    News -

    Being able to access primary care services is a key concern that the public have raised with local Healthwatch. Our first in a series of blogs focuses on what one group of mothers in Southend-on-Sea told us.

  41. Hospital changes improve patient satisfaction

    News -

    Local Healthwatch made 600 visits last year to find out how people feel about the quality of health and care services. We spoke to Healthwatch Lancashire to find out how patients felt about changes that were made to a nearby hospital.

  42. 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.

  43. Reflections on making people’s voices count

    News -

    Katherine Rake looks back at the factors that are helping Healthwatch amplify the voice of health and social care consumers.

  44. New research exploring vaccination confidence provides vital lessons for public health campaigns

    News -

    Healthwatch England has joined forces with Traverse to explore vaccination confidence among people from African, Bangladeshi, Caribbean and Pakistani backgrounds living in the UK.