1. Maternity care for asylum-seeking and migrant women in south east London

    Report -

    Read Healthwatch Greenwich's latest report providing insights into maternity care challenges for migrant and asylum-seeking women in South East London.

  2. Improving the wait for cancer care

    News -

    In July last year, Healthwatch published our findings of experiences you shared about trying to get cancer care. Thanks to this insight, the NHS has simplified their process so people can better understand what to expect.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. "Volunteering at Healthwatch Greenwich is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in our community while learning about public health": Volunteer Lauren

    Blog -

    Lauren Lencovich, a communications volunteer at Healthwatch Greenwich, shares her journey and aspiration to delve into the impact of social media on shaping health behaviours within our community.

  8. A journey of making a positive impact on lives: Volunteering with Healthwatch Greenwich

    Blog -

    Healthwatch Greenwich volunteer Sadeko Samson shares his journey of discovering passion and making a difference through volunteering.

  9. 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.

  10. Paul’s Experience: “We’ve lost trust in the hospital, they failed Becky”

    News -

    A father shares how negligence from hospital staff led to a traumatic experience for his daughter Becky and their family

  11. More time, energy, and feeling fitter would motivate people to be more active

    News -

    Nearly 3 in 4 (72%) of UK adults said that having more time, energy and feeling fitter would motivate them to be more physically active.
    UK adults are more than twice as likely to spend most of their time watching TV (38%) compared to cooking/preparing food (15%).

  12. Fayola’s Experience: “I need help, Minika needs help, but no one is helping us.”

    News -

    Fayola's plea for help goes unanswered as her daughter falls ill due to lack of heating, leading to months of hospitalisation without support.

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. What did we hear in April 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.

  19. 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.

  20. What did we hear in May 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.

  21. 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.

  22. 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.

  23. 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.

  24. 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.

  25. 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.

  26. Enter and View Report: 1a Webb Road

    Report -

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

  27. 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.

  28. "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.

  29. 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.

  30. 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.

  31. Enter and View Report: Samuel Close 1

    Report -

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

  32. 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.

  33. 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.

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

    News -

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

  35. Changing Places and accessible toilets near you

    Advice and Information -

    Changing Places are toilets designed to provide extra facilities for people with severe or multiple disabilities.

  36. New life-saving health check programme in workplaces could save hundreds

    News -

    On Friday, 30 August, the government announced the rollout of a life-saving health check programme in workplaces across the country. The new NHS Health Check programme will help protect people from diseases such as heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes.

  37. Enter and View Report: Samuel Close 3

    Report -

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

  38. Enter and View Report: 30a Charlton Road

    Report -

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

  39. Enter and View Report: Samuel Close 2

    Report -

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

  40. What did we hear in September 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.

  41. NHS urges parents of 2 and 3-year-olds to come forward for flu vaccine

    News -

    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.

  42. Mandy's Experience: "There are times when I feel I can't leave Tim with his carers"

    News -

    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.

  43. Healthwatch England releases national report on women's experiences of cervical screening

    News -

    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.

  44. No Place to Call Home: Homelessness and the Impact on Health and Wellbeing

    Report -

    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.

  45. The Accessible Information Standard - What you can expect from services

    Advice and Information -

    A year ago the Accessible Information Standard came into force. It requires any organisation providing NHS or social care to communicate in a way that everybody can understand. Here's a reminder of what you should expect.