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As statutory watchdog, our role is to ensure that local health and social care services and the local decision-makers, put the experiences of people at the heart of their care. -
Report -
Community assets that alleviate loneliness or promote communities should be considered, monitored and recognised as integral to the overall approach. This includes engaging the third sector in a meaningful way and accepting that financial investment is needed in the third sector if a gap cannot be met by health and care services. -
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Our CEO responds to the death of Queen Elizabeth II -
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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. -
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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 -
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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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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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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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Monday 1 July marks the start of Co-production Week 2024, and this year's theme is "Co-production: What’s Missing?", but what is Co-production and how do we do it? -
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The NHS plans to triple the number of physician associates it employs. But how much do patients know about this role, and how can their role be safely expanded? -
Advice and Information -
People have told us they can have problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register. -
Advice and Information -
Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services. -
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. -
Report -
Find out how primary care and community services are meeting people's needs in Stoke-on-Trent. -
Report -
Find out people's experiences of the Royal Stoke University Hospital fracture clinic. -
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How has the increasing use of digital health services, affected people's access to care? -
Report -
Read the results of our survey asking members of the public about their experiences of accessing primary care services in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. -
Report -
This year it came to our attention that homeless individuals in our City were finding it difficult to access GP services and receive the treatment that they required. -
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You need services that work for you, your family and your friends. That is why we want you to share your experiences of using health and care with us – both good and bad. We use your voice to encourage those who run services to act on what matters to you.
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The most common themes we hear about are GP services, Mental Health Services, Social Care, and Hospitals and to ensure that we
address your concerns and compliments we share your stories with relevant people and incorporate your priorities into our work programme. -
Advice and Information -
By seeking help from your GP and getting an early diagnosis can get the right support in place to live well with dementia. -
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Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent were informed verbally, of a younger patient who was not registered with the Practice being refused an appointment and being told to go to Haywood Hospital instead. This may not actually have been the case, but our visit was to ask about the incident and check procedures at the Practice and see how it operated generally.
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Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent had been informed by a patient of the Practice that they had inadvertently been prescribed incorrect medication during one of her appointments which luckily was spotted by her normal pharmacist. This particular medication could have caused harm to the patient.
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Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent had been informed, via the CQC inspection published in December 2018, that Trentham Mews surgery had been told that two areas of their work ‘required improvement’. These were: ‘Are services safe’ and ‘Are services well-led’.
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Since the occurrence of the coronavirus pandemic, GP services have been required to adapt and alter the way that services are delivered. As such, appointment methods, bookings and direct communication between practice and patient have been at the heart of crucial service changes. -
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With growing pressure on the NHS such as an ageing population, more people living with longterm conditions and lifestyle choices affecting people’s health, changes are needed to make sure everybody gets the support they need. The NHS has produced a Long-Term Plan1, setting
out the measures it intends to take to address changing need. -
Advice and Information -
Managing your health online isn't always simple. So we have put together a guide to walk you through booking and cancelling your blood tests online through the UHNM Patient Connect online booking system. -
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. -
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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. -
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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. -
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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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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. -
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This report provides an analysis of Parkinson’s Provision in and around Stoke-
on-Trent from a service user perspective. -
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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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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. -
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 -
NHS social prescribing link workers can connect you to the right community groups and services to help support you. -
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 -
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 -
Find out what a ‘fit note’ is, when you might need one and how to get one. -
Advice and Information -
Understanding the symptoms of flu and what the flu vaccine is helps you make informed decisions about your health. -
Advice and Information -
The cost of living crisis has put many people under financial strain, and prescription costs are more than some can afford. Find out what help is out there to help you cover the cost of your medication. -
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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.