Healthwatch | Your spotlight on health and social care services

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Make more space for new parents to talk about their mental health

In our new report, we share what parents have told us about their experiences of mental health problems before, during and after pregnancy, and call on services to give people more opportunities to talk about how their mental wellbeing.

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We urge councils to promote a culture of learning from complaints

Local authorities focus on reporting the number of complaints they receive rather than communicating what they are learning. We call for complaints managers to be given more support to help demonstrate how councils respond to feedback from residents.

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Why it’s important to review the care of people with dementia

As people's lives change drastically over time, the effects of dementia on them and their carers can be significant. This is why people with dementia need to have regular care reviews so their needs continue to be met. Read our report to find out the support people receive, and what needs to happen to make sure organisations meet the Care Act.

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We are the independent national champion for people who use health and social care services.

We are here to make sure that those running services, and the government, put people at the heart of care.

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News and views

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Mental health and the journey to parenthood: Kristy's story

As well as a difficult pregnancy, Kristy felt pressure both to breastfeed and to produce 'the perfect family'. Thanks to the support from her husband and homebirth midwives, Kristy sought the help she needed for...

9 September 2019

Things always seem to be worse late at night, you feel even more cut off and helpless. I couldn’t help but think that the situation didn’t need to happen.

Kate, a carer for her husband

Latest reports and publications

Mental health and the journey to parenthood

9 September 2019

Find out what's working well for people and what needs to...

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

4 September 2019

Find out what the public have been telling us about health and social...

Advice and information

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What can you expect when you’re discharged from hospital?

It’s vital that when it’s time for you to leave hospital, you have all the medication, information and support in place to help you keep getting better.

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Six ways health services can improve waiting rooms

Here are six steps that people have told us health and social care services can take to provide a better environment while they wait.

Old man talking to a women in a waiting room

Accessibility checklist for GP surgeries

Help make sure that your practice meets people’s accessibility requirements using this checklist from Healthwatch Slough.

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