1. Our position on the Duty of candour

    Response -

    Our perspective on the commission to review the proposed extension to the Duty of Candour.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Our public Committee Meeting February 2014 - supporting materials

    Report -

    Find out what happened at our public Committee Meeting.

  6. Our public Committee meeting May 2014 - supporting materials

    Report -

    Take a look at the papers for our Committee meeting.

  7. Our response to NHS England's Delayed Transfers of Care Statistics

    Response -

    Latest statistics show an overall increase in delayed discharge from hospital settings over 12 months

  8. Our response to NICE safe staffing advice for nursing care in wards

    Response -

    New guidance from NICE aims to help hospitals have a safe level of hospital staff to ensure good patient care.

  9. Our strategy 2014/16

    Report -

    Our strategy for 2014/16 sets out how, by working together, the Healthwatch network will truly champion the interests of those who use health and social care services. 

  10. Our business plan 2014/15

    Report -

    Find out what we will do in the year ahead.

  11. Our concerns about reduced local accountability arrangements

    Response -

    We have written to the Secretary of State about our concerns about reduced local accountability arrangements around commissioning.

  12. 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.

  13. Our public Committee meeting July 2014 - supporting materials

    Report -

    Find out what happened at our public Committee Meeting.

  14. Our response to CQC special measures report

    Response -

    The Care Quality Commission has released a report into progress made at 11 NHS trusts that were put into special measures in July 2013.

  15. Our letter to the Local Government Association about CCG public involvement

    Response -

    We have written to the Local Government Association to discuss how we can work together to ensure that Clinical Commissioning Groups involve the public in decision making processes.

  16. Our letter to NHS England about CCG public involvement

    Response -

    We have written to NHS England to assess to Clinical Commissioning Groups can involve local Healthwatch in changes to how health and care services are run.

  17. 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

  18. Bringing the voice of consumers to Parliament

    News -

    Healthwatch from across England share their concerns in Westminster to make sure people can have their say about changes to health services in their area.

  19. 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.

  20. Our financial performance and position 2013/14

    Report -

    Find out about more about our financial performance and position for the financial year 2013/14.

  21. 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.

  22. Our Annual Report 2013/14

    Report -

    Our Annual Report, Loud and Clear: Making your voice heard highlights our work and the work of the Healthwatch network over the past 12 months.

  23. Suffering in silence

    Report -

    This report highlights what people have told the Healthwatch network about their experience of making a complaint about health and social care services.

  24. Trouble finding an NHS dentist? You're not alone...

    Advice and Information -

    People all across the country are venting increasing frustration about access to and the quality of NHS dentistry services. Find out more below.

  25. Our public Committee Meeting October 2014 - supporting materials

    Report -

    Find out what happened at our public Committee Meeting.

  26. The State of Support 2014/15

    Report -

    Find out what funding the Healthwatch network has received to carry out its statutory activities for 2014/15.

  27. Using people’s views of good complaint handling to improve experiences

    News -

    New joint report highlights what people can expect when making a complaint about health and social care services.

  28. My expectations for raising concerns and complaints

    Report -

    What should people expect when it comes to raising concerns and complaints about health and social care? Our new report explains.

  29. 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.

  30. Our response to the legal Duty of Candour coming into force for health and social care organisations

    Response -

    New law to help improve patient safety, transparency and leadership in the NHS.

  31. Our response to the CQC's national A&E survey

    Response -

    The CQC has today published their latest survey results about people’s experiences of emergency departments in England.

  32. 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.

  33. Hospital policies on making a complaint - FOI results

    Report -

    Our new evidence raises further concerns about the defensive and obstructive culture around complaints in the NHS.

  34. 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.

  35. Helping you find answers

    News -

    To give you an idea of some of the ways we’ve helped, take a look at our round up of the top questions people ask us.

  36. New Long Term Plan is "just the start"

    News -

    The NHS in England has published a ten year plan setting its priorities for the future.

  37. Three ways we are helping to amplify the voice of different communities

    Blog -

    Local Healthwatch aim to speak to every section of their community about their experiences of care. However, some communities face more issues than others when it comes to accessing the right support and find it difficult to have their views heard.

  38. New plans to investigate rising emergency readmissions to hospitals announced in response to concerns raised by patients

    News -

    NHS Digital responds to the Healthwatch call to monitor emergency readmission rates and investigate the reasons why people return to hospital just 30 days after they have been discharged.

  39. Healthwatch brings people's voices to Westminster

    News -

    Healthwatch from across England shared their successes and concerns in Westminster to make sure people can have their say about changes to health services.

  40. Using technology to build a stronger Healthwatch community

    Blog -

    With 152 Healthwatch organisations across the country, we need to make good use of technology to help our teams connect and learn from each other. Read how we’re using an online community platform to help Healthwatch make more people’s voices heard.

  41. Our public Committee Meeting February 2019 supporting materials

    Report -

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

  42. Making it easier to access NHS services in Redbridge

    Blog -

    Despite the publication of the Accessible Information Standard nearly three years ago, people continue to tell Healthwatch about their struggle to access NHS services. Find out how Healthwatch Redbridge have been making a difference.

  43. What people have told us about health and care: October - December 2018

    Report -

    Find out what the public have been telling us about health and social care over the last three months.

  44. Why are people struggling to get their medication?

    News -

    We look at one of the issues people raise with Healthwatch and the steps GPs and Pharmacists can take to help people get the medication they need.

  45. Giving the people of Manchester a stronger say in the future of health and care

    News -

    Greater Manchester and Healthwatch England have launched a new fund to strengthen the voice of local people in health and care reforms.