1. January 2022 Feedback Report

    Report -

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

  2. Your Care, Your Way - Campaign information in alternative formats

    News -

    Everyone should be given healthcare information in the way they need it. Read an overview of our campaign and find out more about Your Care, Your Way in British Sign Language and Easy Read.

  3. Lost for words – improving access to healthcare for ethnic minority communities

    Blog -

    People with little or no English struggle at all points of their healthcare journey. Our new research shines a light on barriers and delays to care they often experience and calls for equal access for all.

  4. Accessible Information: Healthwatch England's recommendations

    News -

    Healthwatch England have set out five headline recommendations to help health and care services ensure that people who have communication needs are given their healthcare information in the way they need it.

  5. "More action needed to improve care" for people with a learning disability, mental ill health and autism, says CQC

    Blog -

    The Care Quality Commission has found that "not enough progress has been made to address their recommendations in the 2020 ‘Out of sight – who cares?’ restraint, segregation, and seclusion review".

  6. 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.

  7. We need to focus on inequalities to address NHS waiting list

    News -

    The current hospital backlog has had a huge impact on many patients waiting for treatment. But if you are a woman, on a low income or from an ethnic minority background, you are more likely to have a worse experience of waiting for care.

  8. May 2022 Feedback report

    Report -

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

  9. Download Easy Read leaflets about vaccinations

    Advice and Information -

    Translated Easy Read leaflets are now available on Covid vaccinations.

  10. What did we hear in June 2022?

    Report -

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

  11. Do you care for a child with Special Educational Needs or a Disability? (SEND)

    Advice and Information -

    There are less than 10 days left to respond to the Government's Green Paper for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

  12. Disabled people report being blocked from NHS care due to poor communications

    News -

    Healthwatch England's deep-dive analysis of people's experiences of healthcare communication is a stark reminder of why NHS England & the 42 new Integrated Care Systems need to ensure services abide by the Accessible Information Standard.

  13. What is sickle cell?

    Advice and Information -

    September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month.

  14. The NHS needs more black donors

    News -

    Find out why the NHS needs more black donors to give blood.

  15. Contact us using British Sign Language (BSL)

    News -

    Find out how to contact us using a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter.

  16. Metro Gavs Race Equality Audit- Our response

    Response -

    The fight for racial equality is an ongoing battle, and it seems that even organisations dedicated to promoting inclusivity aren't immune to the struggle.

  17. 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!

  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. 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.

  20. 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.

  21. The Power of Co-Production

    Blog -

    In this blog post, Jahan Foster, Social Care Researcher at Healthwatch Greenwich, reflects on the successful co-production project completed with young people, which explored their contraceptive knowledge and awareness.

  22. Empowering Nepali elderly women: A vibrant community group bridges gaps in healthcare access and communication

    Blog -

    This South Asian Heritage Month, Healthwatch Greenwich celebrates an inspirational story of a small Nepalese community group that teaches, trains, and empowers Nepali elderly women. Our Communication Officer, Chandan visits ‘Feel Better’ event.

  23. 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.

  24. 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.

  25. Dentistry in Greenwich

    Report -

    Healthwatch Greenwich's new report discusses accessibility, experience and opinions about local NHS dental services in Greenwich.

  26. Barriers and inequalities in cervical screening

    Blog -

    This week is Cervical Cancer Prevention Week. Our new blog brings together some of the key challenges people have shared about cervical screening with local Healthwatch and outlines the steps we are taking nationally to address those.

  27. Cervical Screening Among Black and Ethnic Minority Women: The Silent Crisis

    Blog -

    As the UK marks Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, Healthwatch Greenwich chief executive Joy Beishon highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and accessibility to cervical screening, particularly among Black and ethnic minority women in the UK.

  28. What is measles and who can get the vaccine?

    Advice and Information -

    Measles vaccination rates are at a ten-year low as cases rise nationwide. Find out about measles, who can get the vaccine, and what you can do to stay safe.

  29. Muslim Mental Health Fact Sheet

    News -

    Research suggests that Muslims face some of the greatest mental health inequalities, yet too many encounter significant barriers to support.

  30. Share your feedback to improve care in your community

    Advice and Information -

    ‘Share for Better Care’, a new campaign launched by Healthwatch and the Care Quality Commission, addresses health inequalities across England.

  31. Shweta’s experience: “If only a GP had seen me in person, I would have my degree with no delays.”

    News -

    An international student shared how not receiving timely care delayed her prospects of graduating on time.

  32. Cancer Prevention Action Week: Screenings Save Lives

    Advice and Information -

    Detecting cancer at an early stage means that treatment is more likely to be successful and ensures that more people survive.

  33. NHS to roll out ‘Martha’s Rule’

    News -

    The head of the NHS on 21st February announced the rollout of ‘Martha’s Rule’ in hospitals across England from April, enabling patients and families to seek an urgent review if their condition deteriorates.

  34. What patients want: a vision for the NHS in 2030

    Report -

    Using experiences of care from over 10 million people collected over the past ten years, we have a bold vision for the NHS in 2030. Find out where we think the NHS should be in six years and how it can get there.

  35. Raising Awareness of Women’s Cancer Screening

    News -

    On Women’s Day, we were in General Gordon Square with a focus on promoting women’s health screening. Using a combination of strategies in a community setting, including face-to-face interaction (short, informal conversations), incentives (freebies), and information resources (leaflets), Healthwatch Greenwich promoted, encouraged, and reassured women about breast and cervical screening.
    Among the women we spoke to, awareness gaps were evident, particularly among recently migrated women. For others, trust in healthcare providers and systems is a key driver, with positive experiences encouraging future attendance. In addition, their children were a motivating factor for some. Negative experiences with GPs and hospitals (even when unrelated to screening) reduced the likelihood of women attending screening appointments. Some expressed fear of discomfort or pain, reducing motivation to take up screening opportunities, and women with mobility challenges faced physical barriers in accessing screening.

  36. Experiences of Black and ethnic minority carers

    Report -

    Read Healthwatch Greenwich's latest report providing insight into the challenges carers within Black and ethnic minority communities face in navigating their roles and accessing support.

  37. Whooping cough cases are on the rise-how can you protect your baby?

    Advice and Information -

    With rising cases of whooping cough in England, the NHS is encouraging expecting mothers to get the whooping cough vaccine to protect their babies.

  38. Government announces plan to give patients a choice of where they get out of hospital care

    News -

    On 15 May, the government announced that from Autumn, it will test out its patient choice expansion plan in new areas across the country to give patients a choice of where they receive out-of-hospital care.

  39. Carers and services come together to learn about how they can better support people living with dementia.

    News -

    On Friday 17 May, Healthwatch Greenwich and our team of volunteers joined in the Dementia Action Week event organised by the Royal Borough of Greenwich at Eltham Library to speak with carers of people living with dementia.

  40. What did we hear from local residents attending the Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice tea and talk session?

    News -

    On Wednesday 5 June, Healthwatch Greenwich joined 15 local residents at a tea and coffee afternoon at Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice to learn about their experiences of health and social care services.

  41. What did we hear in June 2024? 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.

  42. Enter and View Report: 1a Webb Road

    Report -

    Read and download the full report at the end of this page.

  43. Healthwatch Greenwich wins Employer Impact Award

    News -

    On Thursday 6 June, Healthwatch Greenwich was awarded the Employer Impact Award at the Greenwich Employability Awards. The awards were created to celebrate the exceptional impact and contributions of students from the University of Greenwich and external partners.

  44. "Joining Healthwatch Greenwich as a volunteer has been a new and enjoyable experience. The reason why I decided to volunteer was to help support my local community and better understand the issues that our communities face"

    Blog -

    Mia Mikala Ofori, an outreach volunteer at Healthwatch Greenwich, shares her journey with making a difference in her local community and growing her confidence while working with our team.

  45. Dementia diagnoses in England at a record high

    News -

    Recent NHS data shows a record number of people are being diagnosed with dementia. The NHS is encouraging people to come forward and get checked if they have any common early signs or symptoms of the disease.

  46. Department of Health and Social Care announces national RSV vaccination campaign

    News -

    The UK will launch a national respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programme from Sunday, 1 September 2024, protecting newborns and older adults.

  47. Enter and View Report: Samuel Close 1

    Report -

    Read and download the full report at the end of this page.

  48. Dementia cases are on the rise- find out how you can get checked

    Advice and Information -

    A record number of people are being diagnosed with dementia in England. Find out how you can get checked for dementia and what to expect if you get a diagnosis.

  49. Blood cancer patients to benefit from first targeted treatment available on the NHS

    News -

    Patients in England with a form of blood cancer known as marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) can now benefit from a take-at-home tablet available on the NHS. The game changing treatment could halt the progression of their cancer and provide an alternative to rounds of chemotherapy.

  50. Nicky’s Experience: “I waited nearly two days for a labour room”

    News -

    Nicky shares her emotional journey, beginning with a pregnancy in 2022.