1. Locked out: Digitally excluded people’s experiences of remote GP appointments

    Report -

    The move to more digitally-led healthcare has worked well for some but excluded others over the past year. This report by Healthwatch England explores how people have been excluded and what needs to happen to get the care they need.

  2. NHS Patients, staff and visitors must continue to wear face coverings in healthcare settings

    News -

    England’s Chief Nurse has today reminded the public that everyone accessing or visiting healthcare settings must continue to wear a face covering and follow social distancing rules.

  3. Global supply disruption for some blood test equipment

    News -

    There is a global shortage of some equipment used commonly for taking blood tests in the NHS.

  4. What to expect when waiting for care

    Advice and Information -

    Waiting for planned medical care or surgery can be a frustrating time. That’s why it’s so important that while you wait, you get regular, clear and accessible updates so that you can plan your next steps.

  5. Greenwich Public Health student volunteers help improve local health services

    Blog -

    Student volunteers from the University of Greenwich have been mystery shopping at local health services

  6. October 2021 Feedback Report

    Report -

    Find out what the public has been telling us about health and social care during October 2021.

  7. November 2021 Feedback Report

    Report -

    Find out what the public has been telling us about health and social care during November 2021.

  8. December 2021 Feedback Report

    Report -

    Find out what the public has been telling us about health and social care during December 2021.

  9. Mystery Shopping Report: Greenwich GP surgeries telephone waiting times

    Report -

    We called all GP surgeries in Greenwich to find out their average telephone waiting times

  10. January 2022 Feedback Report

    Report -

    Find out what the public has been telling us about health and social care during January 2022.

  11. What medical support are you entitled to if you’re new to the UK?

    News -

    For new arrivals to the UK it can be confusing where to go if you need medical assistance. Here we outline your rights as a refugee, where you can access emergency help and how to register for a GP.

  12. Where can I go to get help for my health out of hours?

    Advice and Information -

    Health issues unfortunately don't leave us alone at the weekend and people are often in need of medical assistance out of hours. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.

  13. GP Mystery Shopping report: recorded messages

    Report -

    Service users often depend on contacting GP practices by telephone. The quality of a practice’s telephone system will impact overall patient experience and how they feel about the quality and access to care offered.

  14. Mystery shopping report: GP registration in Greenwich

    Report -

    Read and download our full report.

  15. April 2022 Feedback Report

    Report -

    Find out what the public has been telling us about health and social care during April 2022 and read the response from the provider.

  16. What did we hear in June 2022?

    Report -

    Read and download our June 2022 Feedback report and response from LGT.

  17. Fall in patient satisfaction with GPs

    Response -

    The latest GP patient survey shows that overall satisfaction with services has fallen and more people are avoiding making an appointment. Read the Healthwatch response.

  18. What did we hear in July 2022?

    Report -

    Find out what we heard from over 240 service users in July 2022.

  19. What is a GP referral and how can you get one?

    Advice and Information -

    When you need specialist NHS support, like hospital tests or treatment, you often need a referral from your GP first. Find out what this includes and what to expect.

  20. What happens in an NHS mental health assessment?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out more about what happens in a mental health assessment.

  21. What did we hear in August 2022?

    Report -

    From GP services to Queen Elizabeth hospital, find out what you told us about health and social care in Greenwich.

  22. Our CEO reacts to the Government's Plan for Patients

    News -

    The Government announced its 'Plan for Patients', a programme to help the NHS and care system.

  23. It's Stoptober - the perfect time to quit smoking

    Blog -

    Public Health England’s Stoptober campaign has been an annual event since 2012. Each year it inspires thousands of smokers to give up for 28 days during the month of October – and its aim is to support them in quitting for good.

  24. Our position on GP access

    Blog -

    GPs are often the first port of call for onward support. Unfortunately, people tell us it’s difficult to get a GP appointment. Read our insight and the recommendations on how people’s experiences can be improved.

  25. What did we hear in September 2022?

    Report -

    From GP services to Queen Elizabeth hospital, find out what you told us about health and social care in Greenwich.

  26. What is a GP referral and how can you get one?

    Advice and Information -

    When you need specialist NHS support, like hospital tests or treatment, you often need a referral from your GP first. Find out what this includes and what to expect.

  27. Third of patients struggle contacting GP practice

    News -

    New data has revealed that nearly a third of patients (29%) find it difficult to contact their GP practice

  28. What did we hear in November 2022? What action has been taken?

    Report -

    Find out what we have been hearing about health and care services in Greenwich and what action service providers have taken as a result of your feedback.

  29. 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.

  30. What did we hear in December 2022? What action has been taken?

    Report -

    Find out what we have been hearing about health and care services in Greenwich and what action service providers have taken as a result of your feedback.

  31. 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.

  32. What did we hear in January 2023? What action has been taken?

    Report -

    Find out what we have been hearing about health and care services in Greenwich and what action service providers have taken as a result of your feedback.

  33. What did we hear in February 2023? What action has been taken?

    Report -

    Find out what we have been hearing about health and care services in Greenwich and what action service providers have taken as a result of your feedback.

  34. Hello from Kiki – Healthwatch Greenwich Engagement Manager

    Blog -

    Wow, March was an incredibly busy month for us at Healthwatch Greenwich! Find out how we engaged with communities through a variety of events and activities.

  35. Young People Contraceptive Use: Knowledge and Awareness of LARCs

    Report -

    We worked with young people (16-18) in Greenwich to understand their views and experience of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) and find out why uptake continues to remain low among this age group.

  36. What did we hear in March 2023? What action has been taken?

    Report -

    Find out what we have been hearing about health and care services in Greenwich and what action service providers have taken as a result of your feedback.

  37. Update on Clover Health Centre

    Advice and Information -

    The Clover Health Centre at Equitable House Woolwich will be closing at the end of September 2023. The South East London ICB will be contacting patients individually to support them to register with a new GP before the surgery closes.

  38. What did we hear in April 2023? What action has been taken?

    Report -

    Find out what we have been hearing about health and care services in Greenwich and what action service providers have taken as a result of your feedback.

  39. Let’s talk about prostate cancer!

    Advice and Information -

    In the UK, one in eight men will get prostate cancer. However, it’s even more common in Black men—with one in four being diagnosed with the condition in their lifetime.

  40. What did we hear in May 2023? What action has been taken?

    Report -

    Find out what we have been hearing about health and care services in Greenwich and what action service providers have taken as a result of your feedback.

  41. 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!

  42. 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.

  43. 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.

  44. 'I became acutely aware of the challenges faced by underrepresented communities': Healthwatch Greenwich volunteer Dylan

    Blog -

    Our volunteer, Dylan Heller, describes her time volunteering with HWG as an 'immensely transformative experience,' which supported her personal growth and development while also teaching her the importance of empathy and active listening.

  45. What did we hear in June 2023? What action has been taken?

    Report -

    Find out what we have been hearing about health and care services in Greenwich and what action service providers have taken as a result of your feedback.

  46. When patient voices go unheard

    Blog -

    The key to addressing this challenge lies in recognising the importance of patient and family voices and actively incorporating them into the fabric of health and care decision-making, writes Healthwatch Greenwich CEO Joy Beishon.

  47. 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.

  48. 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.

  49. 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.