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. Report -

    We take a look at people's experiences of maternity services in Stoke-on-Trent.
  3. Report -

    In the city we have 53 GP Surgeries, 122 Care homes (nursing and residential) 70 Pharmacies, 37 Dental Practices, 30 Opticians.
  4. 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.
  5. 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’.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. News -

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

    The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has told University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust it must make improvements in maternity services at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, after an inspection in March sees its overall rating move from good to requires improvement.  
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. Report -

    We organised a joint announced Enter & View visit to The Royal Stoke University Hospital Maternity Services with Healthwatch Staffordshire on 20 November 2023. Read all about our joint visit in this report which includes a background and our purpose for the visit, the methodology utilised, an outline of our findings and our recommendations.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. News -

    We are pleased to share with you our Impact and Insight Bulletin for August 2021.
  17. News -

    Download our latest weekly bulletin here filled with local content concerning what support is available, awareness, and information on national and local issues.
  18. News -

    Download our latest weekly bulletin here filled with local content concerning what support is available, awareness and information of national and local issues.
  19. Report -

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

    Find out what we've achieved over the past year.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. News -

    Our call for NHS dental reforms has once again been featured in the media.
  25. 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.
  26. 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.
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. 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.
  31. 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.
  32. 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.
  33. Report -

    Enc-02-Public-Advisory-Board-Action-Record-2021-2022-20-07-01
  34. 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.
  35. Report -

    Minutes and Action log from Public Board Meeting held on 20 April 2021 MD and SF agreed last minutes were a correct record.
  36. Report -

    Public Advisory Board Action Record 2021 – 2022 Enc 02 Public HAB 20 April 2021
  37. Report -

    HW-Stoke-on-Trent-HAB-Public-Agenda-20-April-2021
  38. Report -

    Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent Advisory Board Meeting Public Minutes – 20 January 2021
  39. 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.
  40. 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.
  41. Report -

    Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent Public HAB Minutes 13 October 2020 at 10am via Zoom
  42. Report -

    Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent Advisory Board Meeting Public Papers.
  43. Report -

    Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent Advisory Board Public Agenda 13 October 2020 at 10 am to 11.15 am
  44. Report -

    Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent Public HAB 21 July 2020 at 12pm Minutes
  45. Report -

    Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent Advisory BoardPublic Agenda 21 July 2020 at 12 pm to 1 pm
  46. Report -

    Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent Advisory Board Meeting Public Papers
  47. Report -

    Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent Advisory Board Meeting


  48. Report -

    Health Advisory Board Meeting Wednesday 11 September 2019 - Meeting-Agenda
  49. Report -

    Health Advisory Board (HAB) Public Meeting held on Wednesday 11 September 2019 - Minutes
  50. Report -

    Health and Wellbeing Board update