1. 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.

  2. Don’t be embarrassed – simple checks save lives

    News -

    April is Testicular Cancer Awareness month. In the United Kingdom, testicular cancer is the most common cancer amongst males aged between 15 and 35.

  3. Never too young for bowel cancer

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    Every 15 minutes somebody is diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK - that's nearly 43,000 people each year – according to figures from Bowel Cancer UK.

  4. Consultation on the Hertfordshire Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2022

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    The government requires all health and wellbeing boards to produce an assessment of pharmaceutical services in its area, at least every three years.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. Diabetes Week 2022

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    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.

  10. What is Monkeypox?

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    As you will have heard in the news, monkeypox is a rare viral infection and the risk to the UK population is low.

  11. Armed Forces Day 2022 - How are services supporting our local veterans?

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    Armed Forces Day on Saturday 25th gives us an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved in the last year to improve access to healthcare for local veterans.

  12. Healthwatch Hertfordshire welcomes new NHS structure

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    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.

  13. Healthwatch Hertfordshire – Annual General Meeting 19 July 2022

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

  14. Joining up services in East and North Herts – One year on

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    It's nearly a year since we launched a Community Assembly for the East and North Herts Health and Care Partnership (ENHHCP) with our first meeting in September 2021. Find out more about our work so far.

  15. Live in the Borough of Broxbourne? Share your experiences of accessing your GP

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    Do you live in the Borough of Broxbourne? Share your views and experiences of accessing your GP so we can work with NHS leaders to improve GP practices in the local area.

  16. Are you a parent or carer? Share your experience of accessing your GP for your child or the young person you care for

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    Are you a parent or carer for someone under the age of 18? Share your experience of accessing your GP for the child or the young person you care for so we can work with NHS leaders to improve GP practices across Hertfordshire.

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. Local healthcare needs to tackle discrimination, say Black and Asian communities

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    Our ground-breaking Hertfordshire research has found that up to 45 per cent of Black and Asian respondents felt they had been discriminated against in a healthcare setting, with many believing this was because of their ethnicity.

  20. Healthwatch Hertfordshire Supports Black History Month

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    October is Black History Month and at Healthwatch Hertfordshire we are committed to this year's theme - Time for Change: Actions Not Words.

  21. Want to be a Patient Safety Partner?

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    Our Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board is recruiting Patient Safety Partners who will influence and improve safety within our local NHS. Find out more information and how you can apply for this role.

  22. What do you think about your local pharmacy?

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    Pharmacies are often the easiest and quickest way to access non-urgent health care and advice in England. But what do you think about the pharmacy services in your area? To help local pharmacies better support you, we want to hear your views.

  23. Honour veteran patients by encouraging your GP to become veteran-friendly

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    GP practices who wish to honour veterans for their service this Remembrance Day are being encouraged to apply for the RCGP's veteran-friendly accreditation.

  24. 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.

  25. Feeling Good Week 2023 - Applications are open!

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    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 help can be found within communities.

  26. What do you think of our services?

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    Those who commission our work would like to hear from people who have used our services.

  27. How worried are you about the Cost of Living crisis?

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    Rising bills, food, and the general Cost of Living is hitting people hard. We are working with Hertfordshire County Council to understand what impact this is having, so we can better help you cope during the winter and beyond.

  28. Group A Strep - What you need to know

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    Group A streptococcus is a common bacteria that can cause a number of infections, some mild and some more serious. The vast majority are relatively mild, such as throat infections and impetigo.

  29. What do 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 and when best to contact them.

  30. 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.

  31. 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.

  32. 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.

  33. 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.

  34. 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.

  35. 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.

  36. 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.

  37. 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.

  38. 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.

  39. 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.

  40. 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.

  41. 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.

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

    News -

    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.

  43. 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.

  44. 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.

  45. 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’.

  46. 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.

  47. 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.

  48. 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.

  49. 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.

  50. 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.