1. Patients and public need urgent reassurance on NHS winter crisis and recovery

    News -

    Healthwatch England is concerned that coverage in recent days showing the NHS at breaking point will exacerbate already-low public confidence that people can get urgent and emergency care when they need it most.

  2. New funding to speed up hospital discharge

    News -

    The NHS will buy thousands of extra beds in care homes and other settings to help discharge more patients to free up hospital beds. Our national director Louise Ansari responds.

  3. NHS tells patients to seek emergency care as needed during latest strike action

    News -

    Read the latest NHS advice on strike action.

  4. Referrals black hole’ - new findings of people’s experiences of GP referrals

    News -

    Latest data suggests as many as one in five GP referrals for specialist care bounce back to general practice. Healthwatch England calls for more to be done to understand people’s experience of getting a referral.

  5. CQC publishes reports on Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published two reports for Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust following a recent inspection in December.

  6. Help shape a new community Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) community service

    News -

    Help shape a new community Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) community service. This webinar invitation is for patients across south east London.

  7. Happy International Women's Day 2023

    News -

    This year, the theme of International Women's Day is #EmbraceEquity. Find out why it is more important than ever for healthcare providers to prioritise this in their services.

  8. Junior doctors and dental trainees to take strike action

    News -

    The South-East London Integrated Care System (SEL ICS) reports that junior doctors and dental trainees will be taking strike action from Monday 13th - Wednesday 15th March.

  9. Six-week postnatal checks are failing many new mothers

    News -

    Healthwatch England warns that six-week postnatal checks – required of GPs in England - are
    failing many new mothers

  10. BMA announces dates for new 96-hour walkout by junior doctors in England after Government failure to make any credible offer in talks

    News -

    A 96-hour walkout will take place for shifts starting between 06:59 on Tuesday 11 April and 06:59 on Saturday 15 April 2023. 

  11. ‘Review culture’ is on the rise, yet only one in ten feed back on health services.

    News -

    Healthwatch Greenwich appeals for more people to feedback on NHS care.

  12. British Social Attitudes Survey results are in – our response

    News -

    Public satisfaction with the NHS has slumped to its lowest level ever recorded by the British Social Attitudes Survey (BSA). Despite this, the public shows very strong support for the NHS. Read the response from Healthwatch England

  13. Get involved in our new maternity project!

    News -

    We are looking for co-researchers to help us find out more about asylum-seeking and migrant women/birthing people’s experience of maternity services.

  14. Junior Doctor Strike action: 11-15 April 2023

    News -

    This week (10-15th April) will see strike action by junior doctors over several days from 11th-15th. Find out how this may affect services in Greenwich.

  15. Healthwatch Greenwich features in new London Maternal Health report

    News -

    In June 2022, we submitted evidence to the London Assembly Health Committee as part of their investigation into Londoners’ experiences of using maternity services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out what they said in their new report.

  16. Paid Opportunity for ethnic minority adult carers- Get involved with our upcoming project!

    News -

    We will soon be starting a new project on the experiences of accessing services, information and support for carers from an ethnic minority background and we need your help!

  17. Carers UK - unpaid carers in England and Wales providing care worth £162 billion a year

    News -

    New findings from Carers UK and University of Sheffield's Centre for Care look at how much the contributions of unpaid carers would cost the social care system, if the hours were provided by paid care workers.

  18. New funding available to help improve local children and young people's health

    News -

    Are you a charity, community group or not-for-profit local organisation in Greenwich? The Southeast London ICB is offering grants of up to £2,000 to help improve local children and young people’s health.

  19. Improving healthcare for the LGBT+ community- take part in the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS survey

    News -

    If you have attended an appointment at University Hospital Lewisham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, or used our community services in Lewisham in the last 12 months, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust want to hear from you.

  20. COVID-19 Spring 2023 booster

    News -

    The Covid-19 booster vaccination is still available until June 30th for certain at-risk groups

  21. CQC publishes reports on Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust’s acute wards and psychiatric intensive care units

    News -

    CQC publishes reports on Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust’s acute wards and psychiatric intensive care units

  22. Cost of living - a barrier to healthcare for the most vulnerable

    News -

    Cost of living

  23. Professor David Croisdale-Appleby confirmed as new Chair of Healthwatch England

    News -

    Professor David Croisdale-Appleby has been appointed as the new Chair of Healthwatch England, the independent champion for people who use health and social care.

  24. Would you like to help shape maternity services in Greenwich?

    News -

    South East London Integrated Care System (SEL ICS) is restarting the Greenwich Maternity Voices Partnership and is looking for a new service user Chair who has recently experienced maternity services.

  25. Co-produced LARC study sheds light on young people's knowledge and attitudes in Greenwich Borough, praises stakeholder

    News -

    Sarah Crossman, Live Well Programme Lead at Greenwich Health, said co-produced LARC research gave both expected and new perspectives on young people’s attitudes towards contraception.

  26. Junior Doctors’ strike, 13 – 18 July and Consultants’ strike, 20 – 21 July

    News -

    Back-to-back strikes by junior doctors and consultants are likely to increase pressure on hospitals across South East London. Here's how to get the help you need!

  27. More admin staff needed to help tackle GP access issues

    News -

    National GP patient survey sees a further fall in satisfaction, especially regarding making appointments. Read with Healthwatch England response.

  28. Integrated Care Partnership meets on 24th July

    News -

    The Integrated Care Partnership is a broad alliance of leaders from partner organisations across the South-East London Integrated Care System.

  29. Cancellations of NHS care are having serious impacts on two-thirds of patients

    News -

    Healthwatch England's new research highlights that pressures in the NHS have serious consequences on people's lives and widen health inequalities.

  30. The hidden wait for cancer care

    News -

    Healthwatch England's research on GP referrals highlighted the frustration patients experience due to long waits and a lack of support. This latest analysis looks at people’s experience of getting a cancer referral.

  31. Paul’s experience: “I just feel lost in the system.”

    News -

    Paul visited his GP and was referred to Circle MSK for evaluation of his foot condition, but his treatment was delayed and complicated due to missing X-ray results and uncooperative staff, leaving him feeling lost and frustrated in the system.

  32. Junior Doctors’ strike, 11 – 15 August and Consultants’ strike, 24 – 25 August

    News -

    Five-day strikes by junior doctors, followed by two-day strikes by consultants, are likely to increase pressure on hospitals across South East London Here's how to get the help you need!

  33. Recent inspection rates Eltham Palace Surgery ‘inadequate’ for safety of patients

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of Health and Social Care in England, carried out its inspection of Eltham Palace Surgery in May, concluding the service was ‘performing badly’.

  34. Ava’s experience: “She needs help to walk down the road, how can that be too much to ask…”

    News -

    An elderly woman, Ava, once active and independent, now finds herself lonely and neglected due to a lack of proper mobility assistance and care, with her son's concerns being ignored. Read with providers' response.

  35. Christopher’s experience: “I work and I look after my wife... I had to leave my wife alone for almost for a whole day”

    News -

    Christopher's family, dealing with disabilities, faced delivery woes from NRS Healthcare, leading to lost wages and personal strain. Read with provider's response.

  36. Third of people in England lack confidence they can access critical NHS services

    News -

    Our new research shows worryingly low public confidence in being able to access NHS services. A third of adults in England lack confidence that they can access timely care, including GP services, mental health support and hospital care.

  37. Consultants and junior doctors to go on strike from October 2

    News -

    A three-day strike by consultants and junior doctors are likely to increase pressure on hospitals across South East London Here's how to get the help you need!

  38. Care Quality Commission (CQC) 2022 adult inpatient survey at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

    News -

    Find out how Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust performed in the latest Adult Inpatient Survey of 2022.

  39. Launch of public consultation on specialist cancer services for children living in south London and south east

    News -

    Have your say on the proposed future location of specialist cancer services for children living in south London and most of south east England

  40. Yasmin’ Experience: “I felt desperate, I got out of bed, walked out of the ward, and left the hospital in my pyjamas."

    News -

    Yasmin, a patient at the Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, opens up about her unpleasant experience at the hospital.

  41. Anna’s Experience: "You’ll have to start the referral process all over again.”

    News -

    Anna's battle with a musculoskeletal condition is worsened by missed appointments, delays, and a lack of support, leaving her in pain and feeling neglected.

  42. NHS urged to do more to help patients leave hospital safely

    News -

    Healthwatch England new research reveals worrying problems with hospital discharge arrangements. Many people told us they are not given the right support or information when being discharged from hospital. Read their experiences and our calls to action.

  43. Our response to the news that Government has reached an agreement with medical unions in England

    News -

    Responding to the news that Government has reached an agreement with medical unions in England, which if accepted, could end consultant strikes, Joy Beishon, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Greenwich said:

  44. Athena’s Experience: “I felt abandoned.”

    News -

    Athena, a single mom with a special needs son, felt abandoned by healthcare and social services during a difficult time.

  45. Can I access my GP records online?

    News -

    From 31 October 2023, GP surgeries gave patients online access to their new health record entries. Find out what information is in your record and how to access it.

  46. Doctors go on four-days strike this week

    News -

    A four-day strike by doctors is likely to increase pressure on hospitals across South East London Here's how to get the help you need!

  47. Government and unions urged to find resolution to strike action

    News -

    Five organisations representing NHS leaders and patients join forces regarding on-going industrial action in the NHS.