1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Our response to the NHS Mandate 2016/17

    Response -

    NHS England publishes its ambitions for the health service for 2016/17

  4. 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.

  5. New NHS target aims to improve your experience of leaving hospital

    News -

    The Government has published what it wants the NHS to deliver over the next 12 months, including a new target to reduce the delays people can face when leaving hospital.

  6. What motivates people to volunteer?

    News -

    Over three years local Healthwatch has managed to recruit over 6,000 volunteers who work tirelessly to find out what people think about health and social care services. But what makes someone give up their time for an organisation in their community?

  7. 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.

  8. Anna Bradley stepping down as Chair of Healthwatch England

    News -

    The Department of Health has today started advertising for a new chair to lead Healthwatch England through the changing landscape of health and social care.

  9. 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.

  10. Five common concerns with maternity services

    News -

    With a report out today highlighting that one in three women do not feel they are always given the information they need during labour, we take a look at what people have been telling local Healthwatch about maternity services.

  11. 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.

  12. 12 ways local Healthwatch have made a difference in 2015

    News -

    As the year comes to a close, we look back on some of the great things the Healthwatch network has achieved this year.

  13. Peer pressure, exams, family relationships - teenagers explain the stresses of modern life

    News -

    For some young people, life can be stressful. We look at the work one local Healthwatch is doing to help young people raise awareness of the challenges that affect their mental wellbeing.

  14. Better orthotics services thanks to one courageous mother

    News -

    Today’s announcement by NHS England of a drive to improve orthotic services will come as welcome news to patients who depend upon services to help improve their mobility, independence and help with pain relief.

  15. Exploring sexual health support in Southwark: pharmacies

    News -

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

  16. 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.

  17. Is there a feedback gap?

    News -

    We look at what recent public polling tells us about people's desire to provide feedback to help care services improve.

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. Healthwatch England’s National Director gives evidence to Health and Social Care Select Committee

    News -

    Health and social care services are changing, but how effective are they at involving the public? Our National Director shared the experiences of local Healthwatch with the Health and Social Care Select Committee.

  21. Choosing care can be stressful

    News -

    Choosing care services for a loved one is more stressful than getting married, according to new research.

  22. Putting people at the centre of their care

    News -

    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.

  23. Shortlist announced ahead of Healthwatch Network Awards 2017

    News -

    After reviewing over 150 entries, we are pleased to announce all of the finalists for the Healthwatch Network Awards 2017.

  24. NHS putting public trust in its ability to handle data at risk

    News -

    Almost two thirds (64%) of people in Britain say they are happy for their personal health data to be used to support research as long as it is anonymised, bu less than 1 in 5 say they feel properly informed about current data sharing plans.

  25. 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.

  26. 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.

  27. What I learned from volunteering as a student

    News -

    Volunteers play a vital role at Healthwatch, helping the public have their say in health and social care. To celebrate Student Volunteering Week, we spoke to Helen about what she learned during her time as a student volunteer with Healthwatch Leeds.

  28. A week in the life of a student volunteer

    News -

    Last year 4,700 volunteers gave up time to help their local Healthwatch make a difference to health and social care in their community.

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

    News -

    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.

  30. How are people’s views influencing health reforms?

    News -

    Across the country reforms are underway to ensure that health and social care services provide a good quality and seamless experience for people. The public understand the need for change, but also want to be involved in decisions.

  31. 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?

  32. Do you understand how hospitals, GPs and care services are changing in your area?

    News -

    Our country’s health and care services face big challenges. We are living longer, but more people need help with long-term health conditions, adding pressures to services. This demand for support comes at a time when the cost of care is increasing.

  33. 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.

  34. Meet our new Committee members

    News -

    We're delighted to welcome seven new members to the Healthwatch England Committee.

  35. Are people experiencing problems accessing social care support?

    News -

    Concerns raised by the public indicate services need better information to ensure timely support to those in need.

  36. Four ways GP practices can become dementia friendly

    News -

    Find out how one local Healthwatch has been showing GP practices how small changes can make a big difference to patients’ experiences of visiting the doctor.

  37. How can we improve support for young carers?

    News -

    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.

  38. Would you be happy for your patient record to be shared?

    News -

    People’s patient records have a vital role to play in informing medical research and changes to health and social care services. Together with YouGov, we polled 2,044 people earlier this year, to find out more about their views on sharing their data.

  39. A step closer to getting hospital discharge right

    News -

    When hospital discharge goes wrong, it comes at a cost to both individuals and the health and social care system.

  40. What it means to be a young carer

    News -

    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.

  41. Greater focus on using people’s views to drive inspections of care services

    News -

    Published today, the Care Quality Commission’s five year strategy, includes a greater focus on using the voices of patients, service users and their families, along with other information, to target inspections.

  42. Your health and care: What can we do to make the biggest difference?

    News -

    We need your views and ideas to make sure that health and social care services work for those who use them. Help us shape our new strategy, which launches in 2018.

  43. NHS England publishes new guidance on public engagement

    Response -

    New guidance has been published about how Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and NHS England should engage people in work to improve health and care services.

  44. How was your experience of making a complaint?

    News -

    Have you had to make a complaint? Take our poll to see how your experience measured up against other people's.

  45. Making the most of the information you share with us

    News -

    People share their experiences about health and care with Healthwatch every day. We spoke to our Intelligence Coordinator, Penny Manika to understand how the information you share with your local Healthwatch helps to change and improve services.

  46. Five things communities should expect from getting involved in NHS reforms

    News -

    Across England changes are being made that aim to improve health and care for patients but what should your community expect when it comes to being involved in decisions that impact on local services.

  47. 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.

  48. 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.

  49. Why hospital discharge is everyone’s problem (and how new plans can help)

    News -

    When discharge goes wrong, it comes at a cost to the NHS, to social care services, and to the individual. When it works, people are able to move on with their lives and recover safely.