1. News -

    We have an interesting project coming up regarding people facing exclusion due to the digitisation of services over the pandemic. We want individuals to share their experiences with digital exclusion with us.
  2. News -

    The virtual visit was designed to gain insight into the effectiveness of Shared Lives Stoke’s service delivery, with the aim of identifying what works well, not so well and what could be improved to enhance the quality of service delivery.
  3. News -

    We are pleased to share with you our Impact and Insight Bulletin for August 2021.
  4. News -

    Download our latest weekly bulletin here filled with local content concerning what support is available, awareness, and information on national and local issues.
  5. News -

    Download our latest weekly bulletin here filled with local content concerning what support is available, awareness and information of national and local issues.
  6. News -

    We would like to invite Care Homes in Stoke-on-Trent to work with Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent on our Virtual Visit Programme. Due to the cautious restoration of the national Enter and View Programme we are continuing to conduct our visits virtually to ease pressure on services and to ensure that we help to keep everyone as safe as possible.
  7. News -

    We are working in collaboration with The Royal Association for Deaf People to organise an inclusive event with BSL interpreters as part of their Building Better Opportunities (BBO) project.
  8. News -

    We are excited to announce that we are finalists for the Digital Transformation Award at the Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards 2022!
  9. News -

    We have been recognised for our swift adaptation in utilising digital platforms to continue providing our services, and were announced winners of the Digital Transformation Award!
  10. News -

    Our call for NHS dental reforms has once again been featured in the media.
  11. News -

    The Digital Transformation award recognises companies at the cutting edge of digital design and technologies who are boosting Staffordshire’s growing reputation as a digital hub. The Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards judges were keen to hear compelling examples of how digital technology has been used to transform business processes, customer experience or to create exciting, effective campaigns.
  12. News -

    The Met Office have issued a RED weather warning over the next couple of days. According to NHS England, there are on average 2,000 heat-related deaths every year. A heatwave poses health risks such as dehydration, overheating, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
  13. News -

    We’re still at high temperatures this summer, and we want to go over the importance of keeping cool in this heat. Below you will find we have collected advice from organisations such as NHS England and Staffordshire Fire & Rescue.
  14. News -

    Each September is a global opportunity to raise awareness, educate, support and to challenge the stigma surrounding Alzheimer's disease and all the types of dementia.
  15. News -

    Our CEO responds to the death of Queen Elizabeth II
  16. News -

    In her speech to the Conservative Party Conference today, the health secretary repeated much of what she had announced on 22 September in ‘Our Plan for Patients’, with slightly less rigid language over patient access to GPs.
  17. News -

    Last week, we hosted our Annual Public Meeting in the Jubilee Hall. But, in case you missed it, we’ve put together a summary of the event.
  18. News -

    If you have concerns or ideas on how to improve the community's health and wellbeing, join one of ECS's upcoming Stoke Citizens Inquiry Community Events.
  19. News -

    Pregnancy is a major life event for any family. It can be joyful and fulfilling but also challenging. We’re launching a national survey to understand if care works for new mothers and birthing parents. Share your story.
  20. News -

    Locally and nationally, there are stories of people experiencing delays in the ambulances reaching them and then of delays when reaching hospital of being handed over to Accident and Emergency Department, sometimes with tragic outcomes.
  21. News -

    If you are looking to share your stories and experiences of local health and social care services with us over Christmas, keep in mind our opening hours and other ways to get in touch.
  22. News -

    The number of people avoiding an NHS appointment because they can’t afford travel almost doubled between October and December as the cost of living crisis is forcing many to change how they use health and care services.

    Over a third (39%) of people say the changes they have made to their lives due to the cost of living crisis have affected their mental health.

    • Women are disproportionately affected by spiralling costs, with 35% saying their mental health has got worse over the last two months, compared to 26% of men.
  23. News -

    Many of you may be concerned with more planned industrial action. People may also be anxious about what to should do during the industrial action periods if they need to access health care.
  24. News -

    One in five people we spoke to with a GP referral for specialist care had bounced back to general practice. This suggests potentially serious issues with referral processes. Healthwatch England are calling for more to be done to understand people’s experience of getting a referral.
  25. News -

    The Care Quality Commission (CQC), has published a report following an inspection of services run by West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust (WMAS) in November.
  26. News -

    Each year, your local Healthwatch puts together a work programme that reflects the health and social care needs of the area.
  27. News -

    Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent appeals for more people to feedback on NHS care.
  28. News -

    The UK government will be testing their new Emergency Alerts service this Sunday 23 April 2023 at 3pm.
  29. News -

    When asked if they had a good understanding of gynaecological issues before it happened to them or a friend or family member:
    • Only 5% said they had a good understanding of gynaecological cancers
    • Only 7% said they had a good understanding of gynaecological symptoms
    • 5% said they had a good understanding of HPV (human papilloma virus)
    • 15% said they had a good understanding of cervical screening
  30. News -

    The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has told University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust it must make improvements in maternity services at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, after an inspection in March sees its overall rating move from good to requires improvement.  
  31. News -

    Findings from a survey of more than 36,000 people who used NHS urgent and emergency care services in September 2022 show that many people had a worse experience than in previous years – particularly those treated in an A&E type department.
  32. News -

    · Impact of NHS pressures revealed in a new survey of 1084 people whose care has been cancelled this year.
    · Over one in three, 39%, have experienced cancellations or postponements of care two or more times.
    · Disruptions to care disproportionately affect unpaid carers, neurodivergent people, and those on lower incomes, widening existing health inequalities.
    · Healthwatch England urges healthcare leaders to act on the number of cancellations, especially those that occur at the last minute, and ensure more significant support for those most affected.
  33. News -

    The Eve Appeal’s YouGov survey for #GynaeCancerAwarenessMonth found that only 1 in 5 people know about the link between womb cancer and oestrogen, and less than a third of people are aware of its link with ovarian cancer.
  34. News -

    Our priority project on Parkinson's disease is now coming to a close.
  35. News -

    Our priority project on carers is now coming to a close.
  36. News -

    The results of the latest annual survey of hospital inpatients published today (12 September) by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) show patient satisfaction levels have remained largely static since 2021, but indicate a longer term decline in most areas compared to previous years. They also highlight growing frustration with waiting times and reveal that four in ten people scheduled for planned treatment said their health deteriorated while waiting to be admitted.
  37. News -

    Healthwatch England has warned that people need more confidence that the NHS can provide timely care as the winter period approaches. A third of adults in England lack confidence that they can access timely care, including GP services, mental health support and hospital care.
  38. News -

    The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found improvements need to be made in services run by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, following an inspection in June.
  39. News -

    October is World Menopause Month, and October 18th celebrated as World Menopause Awareness Day, with the focus this year on cardiovascular health. Established in 2009 by the International Menopause Society in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), World Menopause Month aims to raise awareness of the menopause and the possible associated health issues, whilst promoting support options available to improve the health and wellbeing of those navigating the menopause transition.

    To show our support to colleagues experiencing menopause, Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent, delivered by Engaging Communities Solutions (ECS), is a signatory of the Workplace Menopause pledge:
  40. News -

    Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent is the city’s independent health and social care champion. We are here to listen to the experiences of local people using local health and care services and about the issues that matter to the people of Stoke-on-Trent.
  41. News -

    Recent changes to hospital discharge policy and processes have been positive. But the experiences we hear from people and families still vary. Find out what we're calling for to ensure people get the support they need during this time.
  42. News -

    Stoke-on-Trent City Council are working with NHS colleagues to review and modernise local reablement services in 2024. As a result we would like to talk to people who have used the City Council’s Enablement service or the Home First Service provided by the NHS during the last 12 months.
  43. News -

    In July last year, we 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.
  44. News -

    The NHS published their primary care recovery plan last May, and thanks to so many of you sharing your feedback about your experiences, we ensured it promised lots of changes.