Lord Darzi has conducted an independent investigation into the state of the NHS in England.
Lord Darzi has published his Independent Investigation into the state of the NHS in England. The report covers patient access, quality of care, and the overall performance of the health system and states that the NHS “is in serious trouble”.
Read MoreOur team at Healthwatch Halton were part of a group of local Healthwatch who conducted research for Healthwatch England on Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs). The research unpacks people's experiences of using Community Diagnostic Centres and lessons for expanding community-based care.
The survey found that Community Diagnostic centres are speeding up access to tests and nearly nine in 10 users said they had positive experience, with 7 million tests, such as X-rays and scans are now provided across network in England.
Read MoreThe Healthwatch Sandwell Annual Report is now live! The team at Healthwatch Sandwell have been working hard during 2023-2024 to listen to the voices of local people throughout Sandwell and influence changes in the services that people use.
Click here to see what the team have been doing to help people get better healthcare!
Read MoreOur team at Healthwatch Bedford Borough have been in conversation with the lovely team at Bedford Borough Libraries in relation to our commitment to step up our outreach in rural parishes. This new initiative is as a result of the feedback received from stakeholders which identified the need for more rural engagement with the team at Healthwatch Bedford Borough making rural isolation one of their key strategic priority areas for 2024/25.
Read MoreFollowing last year’s Carers project, our team at Healthwatch Stoke on Trent are now launching a new Digital Carers Forum, which is their latest initiative in an ongoing commitment to supporting the Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s All-Age Carers Strategy.
Read MoreOn Wednesday 28 August, Healthwatch Walsall launches its second Health and Care Information and Advice Roadshow at the Ryecroft Community HUB. This is a great opportunity for members of the public to get invaluable Health and Care Information and Advice from a range of services. Pop along and see for yourself or to get more information about Healthwatch Walsall, visit their website here.
Read MoreA joint report by Healthwatch Halton and Healthwatch Warrington has called for improvements when patients are discharged from hospital.
The report was based on the feedback from 90 patients and their carers / family members who had been inpatients at Halton or Warrington Hospital.
Where discharge had worked well, people highlighted good communication, feeling involved in the process, involvement of their family members where applicable, and good coordination and quality of aftercare. Too often though there were inconsistencies in the discharge experience of the patients we heard from.
Read MoreECS has been awarded the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark (QPM) from the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi). The QPM is the UK’s only independent quality performance mark for organisations offering independent advocacy; an essential service for people who need support to express their needs and have increased choice and control in their lives.
Read MoreChannel 4 documentary programme Dispatches aired this week on 24 June at 9pm ‘Undercover A&E: NHS in Crisis. Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin is asking people ‘What has your experience of care been like in Telford and Shrewsbury Hospitals A&E Departments?’
Read MoreAs the next round of junior doctors' strikes approaches, residents of Shropshire, Telford, and Wrekin are reminded of the significant impact their support can have during what is anticipated to be a busy period for the local NHS.
Read MoreNews - 24 June 2024
Norman Holding has been appointed as the interim Chair of the Healthwatch Warrington Independent Strategic Advisory Board. The news follows the recent departure of Pat McLaren who resigned at the end of May.
Read MoreWe are excited to announce the launch of our Citizens Involvement Charter, a new initiative which aims to strengthen community engagement and amplify the voices of those within the community.
We have designed this charter because we want to recognise and celebrate local organisations that have been silent supporters, helping to share surveys and gather your stories and experiences of local health and social care services. We recognised the need for a more structured approach that allows us to identify, celebrate and measure the impacts of local organisations within our projects.
Interested in signing up as a charter champion? Click here to find out more.
Read MoreOn 6th June I attended the Social Research Association Conference (SRA). As a member of SRA for some years now, I have benefited greatly from the training that they offer but this was the first time I had attended the conference. So armed with my ECS branded water bottle, I set off at a ridiculously early hour, on the train from Stoke-on-Trent.
Read MoreAs we celebrate Volunteers' Week 2024, we want to take a moment to put a spotlight on and say thank you to our amazing volunteers. We are very grateful for the time that they generously give, along with their support and efforts, to help to create positive change within our communities.
Read MoreThe NHS Constitution outlines your rights as a patient and the NHS's commitments to you.
The Government is planning changes to the Constitution – like introducing the right for families to ask for a second opinion if their loved one’s condition worsens while they’re in hospital.
They’re running a public consultation on these changes, where you can tell them what you think.
Now’s your chance to learn more about the Constitution and suggest any other changes you'd like to see.
Let’s build an NHS that works for everyone.
The Government has launched a consultation on the NHS Constitution, which sets out your rights as an NHS patient. Read why it's important to have your say.
Read MoreHere at Engaging Communities Solutions (ECS) employee wellbeing is at the core of everything that we do, as we are a community interest organisation which works to create a culture of inclusiveness, openness, and support within the workplace.
This week we held our first employee wellbeing event at the Wolseley Centre, a beautiful tranquil location, tucked away in the Staffordshire countryside, run by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.
Read MoreThe team at Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent arranged a focus group with members of Staffordshire Sight Loss Association (SSLA) and spoke with those attending appointments during an observational visit to the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust's (UHNM) Eye Clinic to find out about the health and social care experiences of those with visual impairments in Stoke-on-Trent.
The report we have produced features a background of why Visual Impairments was decided as a priority project for this year, key findings from the Staffordshire Sight Loss Association (SSLA) focus groups discussions and our observational visit to University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust's (UHNM) Royal Stoke University Hospital Eye Clinic, and concludes with recommendations for local services as a result of our findings. You can read the full report here.
Read MoreHave we got news for you……
How many projects did Healthwatch Walsall complete in the 2023-2024 work programme you ask??
Lets take a look…..
Read MorePharmacy First Service Survey launched by ECS
The Pharmacy First scheme was launched by the government and NHS England on 31 January 2024 to give patients quick and accessible care and ease pressure on GP services. Pharmacy First builds on previous service provision under the Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS) and enables the public to access community pharmacies and be provided with advice, prescription medication or referral to another healthcare professional by a pharmacist. There are seven common conditions that community pharmacists are now able to provide prescription medication directly to patients for when appropriate as well as the services that were provided under the previous CPCS.
The new service can be accessed directly as a walk-in to a participating pharmacy where they can offer an appointment or see people immediately depending on service capacity. The public can also be referred to a pharmacist by GP practices; NHS 111; Urgent or Emergency care; or ambulance services.
Read MoreWe’re joining in on ‘Wear It Green Day’ today to help raise awareness for Mental Health Awareness Week. For more information about Mental Health Awareness Week please click here: https://mentalhealth.org.uk #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #WearItGreen
Throughout ECS, staff have been wearing green to show their support and also making a donation. We have raised £50 which we are pleased to be able to donate to such a good cause.
By going green, we can support the Mental Health Foundation in carrying out vital research and delivering programmes for different communities. The campaign is part of Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May) and ECS have been happy to turn the organisation green to support good mental health!
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