1. Important Report on Dual Diagnosis published

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    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).

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

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    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.

  3. New Report from Carers UK

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    New research by Carers UK shows that 2.6 million have quit their job to care for a loved one who is older, disabled or seriously ill. Almost half a million people have left their job in the last two years alone.

  4. Coronavirus Vaccine: Share your thoughts

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    The national COVID-19 vaccination programme is well underway in Hertfordshire, with both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines being given to local residents. Whether you have had the vaccine or not, we want to hear from you.

  5. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has investigated ‘do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation’ decisions made during Covid-19.

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    The CQC said it was unacceptable for any do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) decisions to be made without proper conversations with the individual, or an appropriate representative, taking into account their wishes and needs.

  6. Planning the Future of Mount Vernon Cancer Services for the people of Hertfordshire

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    The review of Mount Vernon Cancer Services is moving into a new engagement stage and project organisers want to hear from you. Find out what is happening now and how you can get involved and have your say.

  7. Carers Call for Action

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

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

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    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.

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

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

  10. 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?

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    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.

  11. Young Carers call for support, not sympathy

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    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.

  12. Care Home Visiting Beyond the Pandemic: share your experiences

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    Do you find your care home visiting arrangements flexible and supportive? Share your experiences of visiting so that we can help care homes to ensure that visits are safe, as well as meaningful, for you.

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

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    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.

  14. So you're a carer - who looks after you?

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    This Carers Week, from 6-12 June 2022, we are helping highlight the challenges faced by unpaid carers and helping those who don't even realise they are carers to access much-needed support.

  15. MacMillan Cancer Support - Helping those living with and affected by cancer

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    MacMillan has appointed a local Engagement Lead to support those living with cancer in Hertfordshire. If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, they can help to do whatever it takes to help them live life as fully as they can.

  16. Tackling mental health and substance misuse together

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    If you need support with drugs or alcohol and your mental health, read on to find out how you can access help.

  17. Have you, or someone you care for, used Community Nursing services? We want to hear your views

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    Have you, or someone you care for, ever used Community Nursing services? We are working with other local Healthwatch and NHS England to ensure Community Nursing is working well for patients and carers.

  18. If you care for someone who couldn’t manage without you, do you get enough GP support yourself?

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    As a carer, we want to know if your GP practice is supporting you and what they do to help you.

  19. 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.

  20. 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.

  21. 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.

  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. 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.

  25. 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.

  26. 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.

  27. Herts Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services Improving Lives

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    Drug and alcohol recovery and reintegration services in Hertfordshire have been positively described as “life-changing” by service users and carers.