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

    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.

  2. Looking after your health during the Cost of Living crisis.

    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.

  3. Further Industrial Action

    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.

  4. NHS industrial action: Common questions and resources to help you

    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.

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

    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.

  6. World Encephalitis Day

    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.

  7. CQC publishes report on services provided by West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust

    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.

  8. Shaping our workplan: What matters to you?

    News -

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

  9. ‘Review culture’ is on the rise, yet only one in ten feed back on health services.

    News -

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

  10. Emergency Alerts Service Test

    News -

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

  11. Getting health-related help during Bank Holidays

    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.

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

    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

  13. Living with Long-term Conditions Report

    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.

  14. Parkinson's Provision

    Report -

    This report provides an analysis of Parkinson’s Provision in and around Stoke-
    on-Trent from a service user perspective.

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

    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.

  16. Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month: Oestrogen and Womb Cancer

    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.

  17. Majority of patients remain positive about care they receive when in hospital but over a third say their health deteriorated while waiting for treatment

    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.

  18. Living with Parkinson's Disease Report

    Report -

    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.

  19. CQC tells Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust improvements still needed to keep people safe

    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.

  20. What is menopause and what are the signs?

    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.

  21. How can you provide better care to diabetes patients?

    Advice and Information -

    Four areas where you can improve support for people diagnosed with diabetes.

  22. What do people think about patient choice?

    Blog -

    Find out what's working and what could be better regarding people's right to choose where they receive treatment.

  23. 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.

  24. What are the symptoms and treatments for diabetes?

    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.

  25. What is social prescribing?

    Advice and Information -

    NHS social prescribing link workers can connect you to the right community groups and services to help support you.

  26. What is a virtual ward?

    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.

  27. Where can I get help for health out of hours?

    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.

  28. Do you need help travelling to NHS services?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.

  29. Cervical screening: What to expect from your smear test.

    Advice and Information -

    Cervical cancer screenings save at least 2,000 lives every year in the UK. Here's what you should expect from your smear test and why these screenings are important.

  30. When to use NHS 111 and how it can help you

    Advice and Information -

    The NHS wants to make it easier and safer for patients to get the right treatment when they need it, without waiting a long time to be seen in A&E. Find out what this means for you and your loved ones.

  31. Barriers and inequalities in cervical screening - Healthwatch England

    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.

  32. Technology and information are key to managing diabetes: Natalie's story - Healthwatch England

    Blog -

    Natalie is among the many people who have recently told us how their diabetes care can be improved.

  33. What help can you get to pay for your prescriptions? - Healthwatch England

    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.