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. Advice and Information -

    Four questions staff should ask you or a loved one about your oral health if you’re a care home resident, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence quick guide.
  23. Advice and Information -

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

    The virtual visit was designed to gain insight into the effectiveness of Shared Lives Stoke’s service delivery, with the aim of identifying what works well, not so well and what could be improved to enhance the quality of service delivery.
  25. News -

    We would like to invite Care Homes in Stoke-on-Trent to work with Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent on our Virtual Visit Programme. Due to the cautious restoration of the national Enter and View Programme we are continuing to conduct our visits virtually to ease pressure on services and to ensure that we help to keep everyone as safe as possible.
  26. Report -

    Read the results of our virtual visit to Davlyn House.
  27. Report -

    Read our virtual visit to Dresden House.
  28. Report -

    The report details our recommendations and acknowledgments, a background, the methodology utilised, an overview of findings and a selection of experiences from management, staff, service users, professionals and relatives.
  29. Report -

    In the city we have 53 GP Surgeries, 122 Care homes (nursing and residential) 70 Pharmacies, 37 Dental Practices, 30 Opticians.
  30. 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.
  31. 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.
  32. 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.
  33. Report -

    We organised an announced virtual visit to Dresden House between 18 October and 5 November 2021. Read all about our visit in this short summary report which details a background, the methodology utilised, an outline of the findings and a selection of experiences from participants.
  34. Report -

    It follows the inspection by the CQC in August 2018 concluded that overall the Home Requires Improvement.
  35. Report -

    The service is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 74 adults (please note that the website shows anomalies – it refers to the home being 76 bedded). People who use the service require nursing or personal care and/or may have Dementia. The home also provides care for those who need treatment for the disease, disorder, or injury.
  36. Report -

    It follows the inspection by the CQC in November 2017 which concluded that overall the Home Requires Improvement.
  37. Report -

    This visit was arranged as a follow-up to a CQC inspection in July 2018. The findings at that inspection were “Requires Improvement” in four of the five areas (Safe, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led). It was deemed “Good” in the area of ‘Effective’.
  38. Report -

    Healthwatch Stoke on Trent received information from a family member regarding problems with the care of a family member who had been moved to Bradwell Hall. We also noted that the CQC inspection of August 2018 concluded that overall ‘the Home Requires Improvement.
  39. Report -

    Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent organised an announced virtual visit to Dresden House between 18 October and 5 November 2021. The rationale for the virtual visit was to capture the experiences and opinions of the manager, service users and staff and relatives within the care home to discover what works well, not so well and what could be improved to enhance the quality of service delivery.
  40. 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, professionals and relatives.
  41. 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.
  42. Advice and Information -

    Living in a care home can increase your risk of oral health problems. That's why knowing what questions to ask care staff about your oral health or loved ones can prevent problems from developing.