News and reports

Residents across southeast London are being invited to help design a new digital version of the Vital 5 Check — a tool that supports people to understand and improve their health. Your insight will help ensure the digital service is accessible, practical and genuinely useful for local communities, including those in Greenwich.

A recent cluster of meningitis B cases in the UK has prompted heightened public health monitoring, after an unusually rapid rise in infections was recorded in parts of Kent. While the overall risk to the wider population remains low, the situation highlights the importance of recognising symptoms early and understanding how to seek appropriate care.

Healthwatch Greenwich is committed to raising awareness and supporting local families affected by Down’s syndrome. Understanding the condition helps create a more inclusive, informed and compassionate community.

Healthwatch Greenwich welcomes the South East London initiative aimed at improving how GPs, hospitals and community services work together. Clearer communication and better‑coordinated care are essential to ensuring residents receive the right support at the right time.

Healthwatch Greenwich welcomes the ongoing engagement work being led across South East London to address inequalities in Black mental health. The Reducing Black Mental Health Inequalities project provides a vital platform for residents to shape services that truly reflect their needs.

Healthwatch Greenwich welcomes the ongoing work across South East London to improve support for autistic persons and their carers. Listening to lived experiences is helping shape a more responsive, person‑centred community autism service.

Healthwatch Greenwich proudly supports Purple Day, the international awareness day dedicated to epilepsy. Each year, thousands unite on 26 March to increase understanding, reduce stigma, and raise funds to support those living with epilepsy.

Healthwatch Greenwich welcomes the ongoing work across South East London to strengthen pelvic health support during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Listening to women and birthing people is helping to shape services that are more responsive, accessible, and effective.

Every injury, every life lost, and every trauma experienced leaves a lasting impact on individuals, families, and whole communities. That is why we strongly support initiatives that make our borough safer — including the knife surrender bins now installed across Greenwich.

At Healthwatch Greenwich, we recognise that male violence against women and girls is not only a matter of safety — it is a profound public health issue.

Each year, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust (LGT) see around 115 cases of malaria locally — representing 8% of all UK cases — and almost all these infections are preventable with the right advice and protection.

Our volunteer team spent the day visiting the Eltham Library