1. Seven pieces of information that you should expect to receive after being diagnosed with dementia

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's (NICE) quick guide to discussing and planning support following a dementia diagnosis.

  2. 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).

  3. Dementia: How Much Do We Know?

    Advice and Information -

    A recent study released by Alzheimer’s Research UK found that half of the adults in the UK are unable to identify any of the key risk factors for dementia.

  4. Top Marks for local Dementia Support Services

    News -

    A report released this week by Healthwatch Hertfordshire shows the outstanding phone support being given for people living with dementia, and their families, within the county.

  5. Hertswise Mystery Shop Exercise 2018

    Report -

    What’s it like when you need to find information and support for your loved one with dementia? Take a look at our findings.

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

    News -

    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.

  7. 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.

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

    News -

    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.

  9. Fair access for care home visitors

    News -

    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.

  10. Many carers need greater support from their GPs

    News -

    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.

  11. Did you know we can help with Social Care?

    Advice and Information -

    Many people think we only help with issues relating to health, but if you have concerns about Social Care services and need assistance or advice, we are here for you.

  12. Do you need help getting to hospital?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you travel to your hospital appointments.

  13. 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.

  14. Opportunity for Veterans to have their say about access to Healthcare

    News -

    Did you know that according to ONS data, there are approximately 36,000 veterans living in Hertfordshire? However, as in other parts of the country, there is relatively little data on specific health issues or priorities of the veteran community.

  15. Healthwatch Hertfordshire involved with Research to improve Health and Care in the East of England

    News -

    Communities with the greatest health challenges across the region are set to benefit from government funding awarded to run applied research projects, which can transform the lives of millions of people managing health issues.

  16. Winter Pressures

    Advice and Information -

    Though winter is often thought of as a cheerful time of festivity and family, the colder months can exacerbate some of the daily challenges of later life, from isolation to fuel poverty.

  17. Hertfordshire Transgender Update

    News -

    Nearly £5,000 has been raised to support the work of the Hertfordshire Transgender Implementation Group.

  18. Inaugural Trans Awareness Black Tie Dinner

    News -

    Steve Palmer and Paul Regan recently attended The Inaugural Trans Awareness Black Tie Dinner at the Priory in Hitchin.

  19. Improving Supported Living Services Across Hertfordshire

    Report -

    We helped Hertfordshire County Council find out what people using supported living services wanted, so that their needs could be better met by providers. Read our report to hear what they had to say and how their voices influenced future guidelines.

  20. Digitally Excluded During the Pandemic

    News -

    Find out the reasons for people not being online, and how being digitally excluded has affected people’s experiences during the pandemic.

  21. Digital Exclusion Case Studies: Covid-19 Patient Experience

    Report -

    We spoke to people who are digitally excluded to find out their reasons for not being online, and how this has affected their experiences during the coronavirus pandemic.

  22. Experiences of Annual Health Checks: Voices from the Learning Disability Community

    Report -

    Annual Health Checks for people with learning disabilities were being missed, or not done properly by local GP’s. This is how we helped.

  23. Accessing Dental Services in Hertfordshire 2016

    Report -

    We were asked to support a local Oral Health Needs Assessment on 'Access to Primary Care Dental Services'. Find out what local residents had to say about their experiences of dental services.

  24. The Health Foundation publish their COVID-19 impact inquiry report

    News -

    As the success of the COVID-19 vaccination programme sets the UK on a course towards recovery, it is essential that we learn lessons from the past 18 months.

  25. People living in the poorest areas waiting longer for hospital treatment

    News -

    The King’s Fund and Healthwatch England have jointly called for urgent action to address hospital waiting lists and improve patients’ experience of delays to treatment.

  26. 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.

  27. 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.

  28. 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.

  29. Breaking down barriers to cervical screening

    News -

    Cervical cancer screening is currently at record lows in England, yet some women with physical disabilities who want this life-saving test are finding it hard to access screening.

  30. Take action this World Cancer Day

    News -

    World Cancer Day, February 4, was an important chance to remind people to take action and help close the gap on health inequalities and save lives through early detection.

  31. 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.

  32. 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.

  33. What is Monkeypox?

    News -

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

  34. Building relationships with Black and Asian community leaders to tackle ethnic health inequalities

    Report -

    Thanks to new and ongoing partnerships with Black and Asian community leaders over the past year, we can share important learning on how services can work to better engage with Black and Asian communities to tackle ethnic health inequalities.

  35. Healthwatch Hertfordshire – Annual General Meeting 19 July 2022

    News -

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

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

    News -

    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.

  37. Making Local Healthcare Equal: Healthcare Concerns in Black and Asian Communities

    Report -

    In our latest report, Making Local Healthcare Equal: Healthcare Concerns in Black and Asian Communities, residents shared powerful stories with us, leading to our NHS taking action in tackling ethnic health inequalities.

  38. Healthwatch Hertfordshire Supports Black History Month

    News -

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

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

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

  43. Your views are helping make NHS research more inclusive

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

  45. 9 in 10 Herts residents have been affected by Cost of Living

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

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

  47. Cost of Living Crisis: Impact on Hertfordshire Residents

    Report -

    In our latest report - Cost of Living Crisis: Impact on Hertfordshire Residents - more than 7000 local people shared many difficult stories of how they were being impacted by rising costs.

  48. Our Annual General Meeting 2023

    News -

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