1. Where can I go for support for my mental health as a parent?

    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. Someone I love has died - where can I find support

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving.

  3. What is domestic abuse and how can I get support?

    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. Feeling Good Week 2021 – Get Involved!

    News -

    Feeling Good Week is a Hertfordshire-wide event that encourages schools and the wider community to promote children and young people’s emotional wellbeing.

  5. Covid-19 Patient Experiences – What can Hertfordshire learn?

    News -

    During the first lockdown, we celebrated the NHS and others who put their own health at risk to deliver what services they could. However, there have been challenges and concerns raised about how patients have been affected.

  6. I’m feeling lonely – where can I get support?

    Advice and Information -

    As older people are at an increased risk of severe illness, NHS and Government guidance advises that older people need to be particularly stringent in following social distancing and staying at home.

  7. I’m shielding – where can I find support for my mental health?

    Advice and Information -

    The NHS has contacted people who are at risk of severe illness if they catch coronavirus – this is because they have an underlying health condition which makes them clinically extremely vulnerable.

  8. Looking after your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak

    Advice and Information -

    The Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is affecting all our daily lives. Social distancing and self-isolation in particular can be difficult to cope with, and can have a significant impact on our mental health

  9. Feeling Good Week – February 2020

    News -

    Feeling Good Week is a Hertfordshire-wide event to encourage schools and the wider community to promote children and young people’s emotional wellbeing by raising awareness of mental health and showing where support can be accessed in the community.

  10. Members of the public needed for Public and Community Involvement, Engagement and Participation Coordinating Group

    News -

    The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) are seeking three members who represent patients, service users, carers and the public to become part of a Public and Community Involvement, Engagement and Participation Coordinating Group (PCEIP).

  11. Important Report on Dual Diagnosis published

    News -

    We have just published our report on Dual Diagnosis, which originated in 2016. The primary focus being to ensure the service user and carer experience fed into the Dual Diagnosis pathway and protocol (now developed).

  12. Carers’ Involvement: Mental Health Inpatient Discharge – Advisory Group

    News -

    Healthwatch Hertfordshire is working with Hertfordshire University Partnership Trust (HPFT) to research how carers are involved and supported when the person they care for has been discharged from inpatient mental health services.

  13. Spot the Signs campaign launches free life-saving App

    News -

    A free life-saving App called “Stay Alive” which is packed with really useful features to help people stay mentally well has been launched in Hertfordshire.

  14. HPFT Rated ‘Outstanding’

    News -

    Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) have received an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

  15. Upcoming Mental Health Project

    News -

    We will be launching a new project looking at inpatient mental health discharge soon.

  16. National Survey highlights decline in people’s experiences of community mental health services

    News -

    People’s experiences of the care they receive from community-based mental health services have continued to deteriorate, according to an annual survey from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

  17. Feeling Good Week 2019

    News -

    Feeling Good Week is a Hertfordshire-wide event that encourages schools and the wider community to promote children and young people’s emotional wellbeing by raising awareness of mental health and showing where community support can be accessed.

  18. Mental Health Service Watch Group

    News -

    Our work on Mental Health remains a Healthwatch Hertfordshire priority, but following much discussion and a consultation, our Mental health Service Watch group has decided that there are more effective ways of engaging on the subject.

  19. HPFT webchat service available from 7am-7pm, Monday to Friday

    Advice and Information -

    This live webchat service, which launched in August, has helped over 1,100 people in the first two months, including service users, carers and health and care professionals.

  20. Involving the Public in the Long Term Plan

    Report -

    When the NHS launched its ambitious long-term plan in 2019, we asked you what you thought local priorities should be. Thanks to your feedback, the NHS should now have a stronger focus on involving the public in changes to community & health services.

  21. Covid-19 Patient Experiences – What can Hertfordshire learn?

    Report -

    Our report on people's experiences of health, social care and community support during the pandemic is published today. It contains the views of more than 660 Hertfordshire residents. Find out what people told us.

  22. Public Attitudes Towards the Sharing of Health and Care Information

    Report -

    Through our involvement with the Information Sharing work stream of the Better Care Fund Programme, we worked with colleagues from health & social care to better understand people’s views on the way health information is collected, recorded & shared.

  23. Patient Led Assessment of the Care Environment (PLACE) 2014

    Report -

    Read about Healthwatch Hertfordshire’s experience of participating in PLACE audits with 5 NHS Trusts and their recommendations to the Trusts to improve the process for patient assessors.

  24. Patient Led Assessment of the Care Environment (PLACE) 2015

    Report -

    Read about Healthwatch Hertfordshire’s experience of participating in PLACE audits with 6 NHS Trusts and their recommendations to the Trusts to improve the process for patient assessors.

  25. Patient Led Assessment of the Care Environment (PLACE) 2016

    Report -

    Read about Healthwatch Hertfordshire’s experience of participating in PLACE audits with 6 NHS Trusts and their recommendations to the Trusts to improve the process for patient assessors.

  26. Dual Diagnosis: Raising Concerns Related to Mental Health and Substance Misuse

    Report -

    We worked with service users, carers, voluntary organisations, and service providers to improve the experience of treatment when someone is diagnosed with a dual diagnosis of mental health issues and substance misuse. Read more here.

  27. Improving the Patient Experience of Making an NHS Complaint

    Report -

    In response to local feedback about complaints processes, as well as Healthwatch England's report 'Suffering in Silence', we launched our own research into how complaints handling works locally, and what could be improved.

  28. Managing your mental health – from lockdown to the easing of restrictions

    Advice and Information -

    Even positive change can lead to anxiety, and it can take time to readjust to things we have not done for a while.

  29. HCT Step2 wants to hear from children and young people

    News -

    Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT) Step2 Early Intervention wants to hear from children and young people about their information leaflet on self harm.

  30. Carers Call for Action

    News -

    Carers of people who have used psychiatric inpatient services called for more support for both themselves and the person they care for.

  31. Making Carers' Voices Count

    Report -

    Find out how carers, support services and our local mental health Trust took action to improve support for carers when they were most vulnerable.

  32. What's the point? Nothing ever changes

    News -

    You might think your feedback doesn’t make a difference to how health and social care services are run. We want to show you that it does.

  33. Feeling Good Week 2022 - Applications open!

    News -

    Feeling Good Week is a Hertfordshire-wide event encouraging schools and the wider community to promote children and young people’s emotional wellbeing by raising awareness of mental health and showing where help can be accessed within the community.

  34. Do you think you get the healthcare you deserve, regardless of race or ethnicity? Share your views and experiences

    News -

    Everybody is entitled to access equal and fair treatment from the NHS. But current ethnic inequalities in healthcare mean this is not always the case.

  35. Bereavement Advice and Support in Hertfordshire

    Advice and Information -

    Losing a loved one can be very distressing and affects us all in many different ways. Some of the physical and emotional challenges can start even before the loss of life itself.

    It is important to know there is help and support available.

  36. Healthwatch Hertfordshire has begun work to help end race and ethnic inequalities in local healthcare

    News -

    We have just launched a new project working with local communities and NHS services to improve equality and inclusiveness within the NHS.

  37. What is Adult Social Care?

    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.

  38. What do I do if I’m unwell over the festive period?

    News -

    It can be difficult to know who to contact and what to do if you are unwell during the festive period. Here you’ll find a list of services and when best to contact them.

  39. Local people are telling us that they feel their race or ethnicity sometimes affects the quality of healthcare they receive. Do you feel the same?

    News -

    Ethnic inequalities in healthcare mean not everyone receives equal treatment from the NHS. See what people are telling us below, and whether good or bad, share your experience to help make a difference.

  40. Children's Mental Health Week, 7-13 February

    News -

    To mark this year's Children's Mental Health Week, we compiled resources for children, parents and carers to help you grow together, as well as links to find further support and help if you need it.

  41. Need support for an eating disorder?

    Advice and Information -

    Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses that anyone can develop, regardless of age, income and ethnicity. Take a look at some of the common signs of eating disorders and where to go for support if you need help.

  42. Putting the voices of children and families first

    News -

    By putting their voices at the centre of our work, we ensured children and families living in Stevenage could share their wants and needs for local health and wellbeing.

  43. Feeling anxious or worried? You’re not alone.

    Advice and Information -

    Stress from the pandemic, lockdowns and the Russia/Ukraine war has taken a toll on all of us - but there is help available.

  44. Working with Local Councillors and Community Groups to Tackle Ethnic Health Inequalities

    News -

    Find out how we helped local councillors shine a light on ethnic health inequalities and how services plan to improve health outcomes for ethnically diverse communities living in Hertfordshire.

  45. Young Carers call for support, not sympathy

    News -

    Young Carers, who look after family or friends, have said that having the right support – such as regular short breaks from caring – is one of the best ways to help them.

  46. Help shape local services for low mood and depression

    News -

    Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) wants to hear about your experiences of low mood, sadness or depression so it can provide better support for people now, and in the future.

  47. Creating a world that works for Autistic people

    News -

    April is World Autism Month and the focus this year is increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism, to create a world where people with autism can reach their full potential.

  48. What you've been telling us about local services

    News -

    Problems with accessing GP surgeries, waits for hospital appointments and care home visiting rules are some of the top concerns you've been sharing with us over the past six months through our Signposting service.

  49. Diabetes Week 2022

    News -

    Organised by Diabetes UK, 13–19 June is Diabetes Week 2022, which aims to raise awareness, provide support and encourage people to share their experience of living with diabetes.

  50. Healthwatch Hertfordshire welcomes new NHS structure

    News -

    Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care System (ICS) today becomes a statutory body, creating new opportunities to feed people’s views into the planning and running of local services – especially the voices of those not being heard now.