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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. -
Advice and Information -
The continuing cost of living crisis is adversely affecting people's physical and mental wellbeing, with vulnerable people and those on lower incomes hit the hardest. -
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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. -
Advice and Information -
With NHS staff holding industrial action this winter, this article aims to help answer common questions and find out from NHS providers any likely impact in the area. -
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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. -
Blog -
According to The Encephalitis Society, 77% of people do not know what encephalitis is. We want to help improve the encephalitis awareness through sharing information from The Encephalitis Society and the NHS. -
Blog -
Last week, the team continued to work hard on the long-term condition priority project, which was determined as our annual priority thanks to the local Stokies sharing their primary health and social care concerns with us. -
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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. -
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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. -
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Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent appeals for more people to feedback on NHS care.
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The UK government will be testing their new Emergency Alerts service this Sunday 23 April 2023 at 3pm. -
Advice and Information -
Throughout this coming May there will be multiple bank holidays, meaning that some services, including ourselves, will be closed or opening with reduced hours. -
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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 -
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This case study covers a local residents experience of being a patient at A&E, from first point of call and throughout their 21 hours of waiting. -
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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. -
Report -
We spoke to 197 people in Stoke-on-Trent who are living with a long-term condition(s) to find out more about their experiences. -
Report -
Together we’re making health and social care better. -
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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. -
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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. -
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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. -
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Our priority project on Parkinson's disease is now coming to a close.
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Our priority project on carers is now coming to a close.
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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. -
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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. -
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We spoke to 39 people in Stoke-on-Trent who are either living with Parkinson's disease or are a carer for someone who is. We found out about their experiences of receiving support, care and treatment. -
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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. -
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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: -
Advice and Information -
With more than thirty recognised symptoms of menopause and growing awareness of the impact on day-to-day life, it can help to know what to look out for and what support is available. -
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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. -
Advice and Information -
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. -
Advice and Information -
Four areas where you can improve support for people diagnosed with diabetes. -
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Our research reveals worrying problems with hospital discharge arrangements. Many people told us they are not given the right support or information when being discharged from hospital. Read their experiences and our calls to action. -
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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. -
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Find out what's working and what could be better regarding people's right to choose where they receive treatment. -
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Access to care is the main concern people have shared with us in the past year. Our new report looking at health and social care from the patients' perspective has warned that we risk "a two-tier health and care system" unless the NHS takes faster action to tackle access issues. -
Advice and Information -
From 31 October 2023, GP surgeries must give patients online access to their new health record entries. Find out what information is in your record and how to access it. -
Advice and Information -
Did you know you can choose which hospital you go to when referred for a test, diagnosis, or treatment? Find out how. -
Advice and Information -
Diabetes UK estimates that five million people in the UK are living with diabetes, with 850,000 of them not yet diagnosed. -
Advice and Information -
NHS social prescribing link workers can connect you to the right community groups and services to help support you. -
Advice and Information -
With more and more appointments happening online, we've put together some tips on how to get the most out of the virtual health and care appointments both for patients and health and care professionals. -
Advice and Information -
The usual processes the NHS follows to discharge you from hospital have changed since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s what you can expect when it’s time to leave hospital. -
Advice and Information -
In a post-pandemic world where the cost-of-living crisis is challenging for many of us, prioritising our mental health and wellbeing is necessary. -
Advice and Information -
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression triggered by seasonal changes. One in twenty people in the UK are diagnosed with the condition, with men more likely to be diagnosed with SAD than women. -
Advice and Information -
Do you struggle to speak to your doctor about your medical concerns? You’re not alone. Take a look at our top tips to make the most of your GP appointment.
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Advice and Information -
People are often in need of out-of-hours medical assistance. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed. -
Advice and Information -
You've told us that you've experienced problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what to do if you're refused the right to register. -
Advice and Information -
Take a look at what you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccination programme, including where to go and why it's important. -
Advice and Information -
Tips to help you stay well this winter and get the care you need. -
Advice and Information -
The continuing cost of living crisis is negatively affecting people's physical and mental wellbeing, with vulnerable people and those on lower incomes hit the hardest. -
Advice and Information -
Find out what a ‘fit note’ is, when you might need one and how to get one.