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Advice and Information -
We've pulled together a number of services for parents in need of support for their mental health. Read more to find out where you can go to get the help you need. -
Advice and Information -
Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving. -
Advice and Information -
If you are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who might be, find out where you can go for advice and help. -
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 -
Your mental wellness is as important as your physical health but seeking help can be daunting. Here's what to expect when you seek support for your mental health. -
Report -
Find out how COVID-19 impacted people's mental health in Stoke-on-Trent. -
Report -
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 -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
News -
Each year, your local Healthwatch puts together a work programme that reflects the health and social care needs of the area. -
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. -
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. -
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 -
75% of children and young people who experience mental health problems aren't getting the help they need. -
Advice and Information -
Mental health problems are more common among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people. If you are struggling, feel alone or need a little help, then check out our guide on how you can get the support you need. -
News -
Thanks to over 2,500 people who shared their views on the six-week check-up, we have ensured that the NHS prioritises mental health support for new parents. -
Blog -
On this World Mental Health Day, we're looking at people's recent experiences of mental health services. With GPs often acting as the front door for mental health support, we've also analysed our evidence about getting a GP referral for mental health. Read about what people told us and what this means for healthcare leaders. -
Advice and Information -
Health issues unfortunately don't leave us alone at the weekend and people are often in need of medical assistance out of hours. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed. -
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. -
News -
We are pleased to share with you our Impact and Insight Bulletin for August 2021.
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News -
Download our latest weekly bulletin here filled with local content concerning what support is available, awareness, and information on national and local issues. -
News -
Download our latest weekly bulletin here filled with local content concerning what support is available, awareness and information of national and local issues. -
Report -
Find out the difference we've made to health and social care services this year. -
Report -
Find out what we've achieved over the past year. -
Report -
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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Report -
Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent had undertaken an Enter and View visit in December 2019 to Wards 205 and 206 of the Maternity Unit and it was noted that some negative comments had been received regarding the MAU. The published report stated that Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent would visit the MAU at some point within ‘the next three months’. -
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. -
Advice and Information -
Strut Safe is a free phone service in the UK to help people who need to feel safe and supported when walking home late at night. -
News -
Our call for NHS dental reforms has once again been featured in the media. -
Report -
Due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus Pandemic and the former suspension of the Enter and View Programme, Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent took the opportunity to pilot a series of virtual visits to ensure that public conversations, experiences and concerns can continually be shared with their local Healthwatch. -
Report -
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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Report -
Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent received verbal information regarding a dangerous (life threatening) prescription being issued by Hanley Health Centre which had previously been visited by our Enter and View team. We had been told that the mistake had been spotted by the pharmacy team at Lloyds Pharmacy and the person who supplied the evidence was ‘full of praise’ for the staff here.
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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. -
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. -
Report -
The HWE project was a follow up project after an online survey was undertaken about access to primary care at the start of the pandemic. The initial survey found that people were generally happy accessing their GP remotely, but as a survey that was online it potentially did not reach people who were actually digitally excluded and struggling to access primary care. -
Report -
A proportion of patients remain digitally excluded and are unable to engage or communicate with a member of staff via the telephone booking system, due to limited digital knowledge and internet access. Therefore, consider how digital exclusion and inaccessibility of telephone communications can be addressed to provide systematic inclusion. -
Report -
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. -
Report -
Enc-02-Public-Advisory-Board-Action-Record-2021-2022-20-07-01 -
Report -
HW Advisory Public Board meetings include an opportunity for members of the public to feedback issues about local
Health and Social Care issues at the end of the meeting.
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Report -
Minutes and Action log from Public Board Meeting held on 20 April 2021 MD and SF agreed last minutes were a correct record.
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Report -
Public Advisory Board Action Record 2021 – 2022 Enc 02 Public HAB 20 April 2021
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Report -
HW-Stoke-on-Trent-HAB-Public-Agenda-20-April-2021 -
Report -
Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent Advisory Board Meeting Public Minutes – 20 January 2021 -
Report -
This has been scoped with our mental health group and we have contacted key stakeholders to obtain an update on local strategies and services. This will be moved forward to our 2021/22 work plan.