Image of our annual report front cover
Health and social care targets only useful if people’s voices are heard
In our annual report to parliament, we call on services to listen to what matters most to people when it comes to their care – and on the public to keep speaking up.
13 December 2018
News
Picture of a woman at a Healthwatch event
My life as a carer – one of seven million stories
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.
28 November 2018
Blog
Picture of an elderly woman in a hospital bed
Janet’s story: when readmission to hospital goes wrong
Our research shows that emergency readmissions to hospital have risen by 9.35% in the last year. Janet's story shows why it's important we understand why this is happening.
21 November 2018
Blog
Our response to new guidance to help care homes understand their responsibilities under consumer law
New guidance from the Competitions and Markets Authority aims to help ensure that care home residents are treated fairly under consumer law.
The Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) has published new guidance to help care homes and nursing homes for those over 65 understand their responsibilities under consumer law.
20 November 2018
Response
Woman walks past empty hospital trolly
NHS not tracking why more patients are being readmitted to hospital
New research indicates spike in emergency readmissions to hospital over the last year. Our report calls on NHS to fix the data gaps to help understand why.
14 November 2018
News
People talking in the community
My experience helping people speak up about health and social care
Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership has been working with Healthwatch Surrey to create a programme of Citizen Ambassadors as a way to reach out to more people in the community. Hear more about Angela’s experience as a Citizen Ambassador.
9 November 2018
Blog
Women talking at Healthwatch
How much funding is your local Healthwatch receiving for 2018/19?
Find out how much funding your local Healthwatch receives to help you have your say.
1 November 2018
News
Our response to Which? latest research on people underestimating the true cost of care.
New research from Which? finds that millions of people are underestimating the cost of paying for a care home place - potentially putting some at risk of financial problems. Our National Director, Imelda Redmond, responds to these findings.
31 October 2018
Response
Man smiling
Should the NHS become more of a lifestyle coach to tackle unhealthy living?
Most people are confident that the NHS can meet their needs. But, when it comes to the NHS at 100 confidence falls by half. We explore recent polling that indicates people think they should be responsible for staying healthy but want the NHS to help.
25 October 2018
News
Two ladies talking outside A&E
What people have told us: A review of the last three months
Each month, thousands of people share their experiences of health and social care support with us. Find out what people told us over the summer about community services, hospital treatment, mental health support and social care services.
19 October 2018
News
Our response to CQC's State of Care report for 2017/18
We respond to The Care Quality Commission's (CQC) annual analysis of the quality of health and adult social care in England for 2017/18.
The State of Care report looks at the trends, highlights examples of good and outstanding care, and identifies factors that maintain high-quality care.
11 October 2018
Response
Our Committee
How every one of us can help our NHS
Politicians often talk about the health service as being ‘our NHS’. But if it truly belongs to us then it’s time for a shift in the relationship.
8 October 2018
Blog