1. Health Secretary Thérèse Coffey on GPs and cost of living

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    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.

  2. Cost of living: People are increasingly avoiding NHS appointments and prescriptions

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    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.

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

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    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.

  4. Shaping our workplan: What matters to you?

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

  5. Only 7% of people had a good understanding of gynaecological symptoms before experiencing them

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    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

  6. Cancellations of NHS care having serious impacts on two thirds of patients, new data shows.

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    · 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.

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

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    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.

  8. Improving the wait for cancer care - Healthwatch England

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    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.

  9. NHS promises better access to GP services - Healthwatch England

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    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.

  10. Accessing health and care services when you live alone - Healthwatch England

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    We explore the three main challenges people face accessing health and care services when they live alone with limited or no support.