1. Tell us how you feel about taking part in research for the NHS

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    Have you ever taken part in NHS research – sometimes known as clinical research? Or perhaps you thought about it, but decided against it? To support the NHS in improving research, we want to find out why you may or may not choose to take part.

  2. Do you need support with the Cost of Living or help keeping warm this winter?

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    Across Hertfordshire, there are a range of services that can help with financial pressures, paying bills, providing food, family concerns, care of older people and more.

  3. The rising Cost of Living is hitting Hertfordshire residents hard - here’s what you’ve told us.

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    Hertfordshire residents say they are using less heating, eating fewer meals and becoming increasingly worried, according to early findings from our Cost of Living survey.

  4. We want to hear from people with learning disabilities

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    If you are an adult with a learning disability, we want to hear from you.

  5. Do you know about your heart health?

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    Heart disease is one of the main causes of death and disability in the UK, so supporting people to manage and reduce their risk is essential. We want to find out how to help you improve your heart health.

  6. Parents and carers voice their concerns about accessing GP Practices

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    Many parents and carers have faced serious problems trying to make GP appointments for their child, sometimes waiting more than an hour to speak to a receptionist, only to be told there are no appointments available.

  7. Become a Patient Volunteer for the South and West Hertfordshire Health and Care Partnership Co-production Board

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    The South and West Hertfordshire Health and Care Partnership is looking for Patient Volunteers with an interest in health and wellbeing to join its Co-production Board. Find out how you can get involved.

  8. Cheaper HRT for women experiencing menopause symptoms

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    Better access to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) will improve the lives of thousands of women in England who suffer from negative symptoms of the menopause.

  9. Hertfordshire Trust first with new app for victims of domestic abuse

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    Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is the first NHS Trust in England to launch a domestic abuse app, which will enable staff to quickly refer victims of domestic abuse for free support and legal advice.

  10. Broxbourne residents struggle to access GPs

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    A survey asking Broxbourne residents to tell us about local GP access has shown that 64% of respondents found it ‘difficult’ or ‘very difficult’ to get through to a receptionist by phone – with many waiting up to an hour.

  11. Research for All - Come Along to our Public Events

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    Come and tell the NHS how research could be more inclusive and find out what progress has been made so far.

  12. Let’s talk about the Menopause

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    Every woman will go through the menopause, so it is important that primary care services know how they can best support women during this time. Share your views and help the NHS improve the support it offers.

  13. Are you autistic? Share your views on GP services

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    We want to make sure that autistic people are supported in their access and experience of GP services. If you’re autistic, we’d love to hear your thoughts about what your GP practice is doing well and where it could improve to better meet your needs.

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

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    Access to GPs and dentists, along with issues relating to hospitals and mental health care, are the top concerns you've been sharing with us over the past six months through our Signposting service.

  15. Full funding for new local hospitals confirmed

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    The Government has given the green light to build new hospitals in Watford and Harlow, confirming full funding for the much-needed projects.

  16. Community Assembly: News and Update

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    On 19th May 2023, we held our latest Community Assembly. If you weren’t able to join us, this article summarises some of the key discussions for you, and provides information about how to get involved next time.

  17. Fair access for care home visitors

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    Thanks to our audit of care home websites and a visitor survey across the County, two new guides have been published to provide clarity about visiting since the pandemic.

  18. Healthwatch Board Annual General Meeting - 18th July 2023

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    Announcing our next AGM, where we will be launching our major research report on the Cost of Living Crisis, and hearing a keynote speech from Professor Wendy Wills on ‘Health and care research in the county and across the region’.

  19. Your views are helping make NHS research more inclusive

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    We have been helping the local NHS develop a more inclusive, accessible and effective approach to research activity. Find out what people have told us and what happens next.

  20. Listening to you helped us improve local health and care - our Annual Report 2022/23

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    In our Annual Report 2022/23, read how we made care fairer, tackled the big issues facing local patients and involved communities in our work to ensure the best outcomes for everyone.

  21. Tell us what you think about Voluntary and Community Services

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    On behalf of Hertfordshire County Council, we want to find out what you think of local voluntary and community services.

  22. 9 in 10 Herts residents have been affected by Cost of Living

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    Our latest report - Cost of Living Crisis: The Impact on Hertfordshire Residents - reveals 6500 residents who responded to our survey have felt the impact of rising costs.

  23. Specific groups in Hertfordshire have been disproportionately affected by the Cost of Living Crisis

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    Our report - Cost of Living Crisis: The Impact on Hertfordshire Residents - found that certain sectors of society have been disproportionately impacted by rising costs.

  24. Our Annual General Meeting 2023

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    Every year our AGM gives an opportunity to reflect and celebrate our achievements.

  25. How informed are you about Type 2 Diabetes?

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    Diagnoses of Type 2 Diabetes are growing at an alarming rate, so supporting people to reduce or manage their risk is essential. Whether you have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes or not, we want to hear from you.

  26. What’s your Cervical Screening story?

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    If you’ve been invited to a Cervical Screening, did you attend or was there something preventing you? If you’ve been before, what was your experience like? Please share your thoughts in our survey.

  27. Community Assembly: News and Update

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    The latest Community Assembly was held online, on 18th August 2023. If you weren’t able to join us, this article summarises some of the key discussions for you, and provides information about how to get involved next time.

  28. Supportive local pharmacies could do even more

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    We celebrated World Pharmacist’s Day with the launch of our Views on Community Pharmacies Report, which showed 4 in 5 of those surveyed were satisfied with their local pharmacy and wanted them to offer even more services.

  29. Sexual Health – what do you need?

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    Hertfordshire County Council want to make sure that everyone has easy access to the tests and treatments they need to reduce Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). To help with this, we want to hear your thoughts and experiences in this survey.

  30. Many carers need greater support from their GPs

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    GP practices are a crucial contact point for carers - and the people they care for - yet our recent research showed some local carers often felt alone, unsupported and had to put their own needs aside.

  31. Feeling Good Week 2024 - Applications are open!

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

  32. Heart Health – Younger People Need to be Taken Seriously

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    People under the age of 45, particularly men, have told us they want local health services to listen to their concerns and provide better support and care when it comes to heart health.

  33. Calls for Autism Health Checks across Hertfordshire

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    Autism Health Checks are being piloted in Hertfordshire and our latest research shows strong support to extend the programme County-wide, improving healthcare for those who may find it challenging to access GPs.

  34. GPs should better support People with Learning Disabilities

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    We listened to what people with learning disabilities told us about how doctors’ surgeries helped them stay healthy and well and came up with some ideas to make things better in Hertfordshire.

  35. Community Assembly: News and Update

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    On 24th November, we held our latest Community Assembly. If you weren’t able to join us, this article summarises some of the key discussions and provides information about how to get involved next time.

  36. Menopausal Women call for improved GP training

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    Women have told us they would like GPs to be better trained so they are more empathetic, listen to what women are saying and not dismiss their concerns when they ask for help with the menopause or perimenopause.

  37. What should I do if I’m unwell or need help over the festive period?

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    It can be difficult to know who to contact and what to do if you are unwell or struggling at this time of year. Here you’ll find a list of services that can help and when best to contact them.