News and reports

Why not volunteer with us!
As a Community Engagement and Outreach volunteer, you will play an important role in speaking and listening to people in the community about their views on local health and care services.

The continuing cost of living crisis is adversely affecting people's physical and mental wellbeing, with vulnerable people and those on lower incomes hit the hardest.

The latest NHS data shows that a record number of people are waiting for care. However, new research indicates that there is also a hidden waiting list, and more needs to be done to understand what it's like for people trying to get referred.

Our latest research follows people's experiences of getting a GP referral. The process for many is long and often confusing. We need to address issues around people's GP referral journey so that it works for everyone.

In this issue we feature 10 years of Healthwatch, upcoming research on the experience of refugees new to the UK and much much more!

My Voice Matters is ensuring the voice of people with diverse lived experiences & backgrounds are heard. We are proud to be able to give the opportunity for seldom heard voices to be heard by providers & wider organisations in their own words

Deep-dive analysis of experiences of 2,693 new mothers and birthing parents shows that six-week postnatal checks – required of GPs in England - are failing many new mothers. We call for action.

NHS and social care services only make the best decisions if they listen to the people they care for. Read Healthwatch England's Annual Report to Parliament to see how your feedback has helped decision-makers prioritise what matters most.

We have written a letter to NHS England to express our disappointment at the lack of progress in reviewing the legally-binding Accessible Information Standard.

Working with deaf people and people affected by hearing loss, a step-by-step guide on how GP practices can improve communication and make care accessible has been developed by Healthwatch Norfolk, we urge GPs to adopt it in BaNES .

In this newsletter we feature the work of Bath Welcomes Refugees, amongst other voluntary organisations supporting people's health, social care and well-being.

Cervical cancer screenings save at least 2,000 lives every year in the UK. Here's what you should expect from your smear test and why these screenings are important.