1. 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.
  2. Advice and Information -

    Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Report -

    Find out how COVID-19 impacted people's mental health in Stoke-on-Trent.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. News -

    Each year, your local Healthwatch puts together a work programme that reflects the health and social care needs of the area.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. Advice and Information -

    75% of children and young people who experience mental health problems aren't getting the help they need.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. Blog -

    This month, we’re encouraging everyone to know the signs and symptoms of dementia so they can get the right diagnosis and support as quickly as possible.
  23. Report -

    Find out the difference we've made to health and social care services this year.
  24. Report -

    How have we improved care during the coronavirus pandemic? Read our annual report to find out more.
  25. Report -

    Find out what we've achieved over the past year.
  26. Report -

    In the city we have 53 GP Surgeries, 122 Care homes (nursing and residential) 70 Pharmacies, 37 Dental Practices, 30 Opticians.
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. Report -

    Purpose of the visit: the inspection by the CQC last year concluded that overall,
    the Home required Improvement and we wanted to assess the current situation
    and see how things had improved.
  30. 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.
  31. Report -

    The report features our recommendations and acknowledgments, a background, the methodology utilised, an overview of findings, and a selection of experiences from responders who have an understanding of the Royal Stoke University Hospital Fracture Clinic.
  32. Report -

    The report details our recommendations and acknowledgements, a background, the methodology utilised, an overview of findings and a selection of experiences from management, staff, service users, and relatives.
  33. News -

    If you have concerns or ideas on how to improve the community's health and wellbeing, join one of ECS's upcoming Stoke Citizens Inquiry Community Events.
  34. 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.
  35. Report -

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

    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.
  37. Blog -

    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.
  38. Advice and Information -

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

    Do you or a loved one need help with social care? Read the article below to find out answers to key questions about who can access adult social care and how to pay for it.
  40. News -

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

    Getting good social care can make a big difference in someone's life. But are people always receiving the help they need? Find out what people have told us and how we think social care support could be improved.
  42. Blog -

    Social care reform is desperately needed to ensure the public can get the help they're entitled to, and that teams have the support they need to deliver this care.