News and reports

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In 2019, the NHS introduced the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) with a promise to bolster primary care networks (PCNs) with 26,000 additional staff by 2023/24. The plan was ambitious—giving patients access to a wider range of healthcare professionals while reducing the demand for GPs. But, five years later, how has it fared for residents in Greenwich? We spoke to two Greenwich GPs, Dr Tuan Tran, and Dr Nayan Patel, to find out more.

Read Healthwatch Greenwich's latest report for insights into stakeholder feedback on our work and the actions we've taken to address these recommendations.

Black History Month is an opportunity to not only celebrate the contributions of Black people to British society but also to confront injustices. Telling the story of sickle cell as part of Black History Month reclaims a narrative that has often been ignored or hidden. Sickle cell is not just about illness; it's about survival and resilience.

In July, Healthwatch Greenwich attended the Pensioners Forum, a group that advocates for the rights and needs of residents over 60. Members shared their personal experiences with local health and care services, and how access to services and resources had become increasingly difficult.

Over the course of multiple projects conducted between October 2023 and April 2024, we heard from women across Greenwich about their experiences with cervical and breast screening. These conversations suggest a system that too often places the burden of overcoming barriers on individuals, rather than designing services that meet people where they are.

On Thursday, 19 September, Healthwatch Greenwich attended the Carers Forum on learning disabilities at Greenwich Carers Centre. The event was held for unpaid carers supporting an adult aged 18 and over with a learning disability and featured presentations from local organisations about available support in the borough, ranging from occupational therapy to skills-based workshops.

Read Healthwatch Greenwich's latest report providing insight into the experiences and perspectives of people living with homelessness and the challenges they face in navigating local health and care services.

Healthwatch England's report titled Cervical Screening, My Way published on Monday, 16 September, takes a deep dive into women's experiences of cervical screening and identifies approaches policy makers can take to improve screening uptake. This research comes at a crucial time when the NHS sets to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.

Tim is a 75-year-old man living with dementia, and Mandy, his 72-year-old wife, has been his primary carer for years. In April, feeling overwhelmed and in need of respite, Mandy contacted Eleanor Care for additional support with Tim's daily needs. But Mandy’s experience with the service has led to a catalogue of issues, leaving her feeling more burdened than relieved.

Read Healthwatch Greenwich's latest report capturing our work on delivering a short-term befriending service for Greenwich residents.

Today, the NHS will send invitations to over 1 million parents and carers of 2- and 3-year-olds to book the flu vaccine. The vaccine is crucial for preventing serious illnesses and hospitalisations during the winter months.