1. Armed Forces Day 2021 – What has happened since we published our Veterans Healthcare Access Report?

    News -

    Saturday 26th June 2021 was Armed Forces Day and an ideal occasion to look at what has been achieved since we published our Veterans Healthcare Access report last March.

  2. Covid-19 safety measures stay in place at healthcare settings

    Advice and Information -

    Official message from NHS England - Anyone using or visiting healthcare settings must continue to wear a face covering and stick to social distancing rules.

  3. Survey to understand barriers to self-isolation

    News -

    Have you had to self-isolate in the last six months? Hertfordshire County Council is carrying out a survey to understand the challenges and barriers people face when required to self-isolate.

  4. Pregnant women encouraged to get the Covid-19 vaccine

    Advice and Information -

    In a recent letter to midwives, obstetricians and GPs, Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, Chief Midwife, reminds all healthcare professionals that ‘they have a responsibility to proactively encourage pregnant women to get vaccinated.’

  5. New age groups eligible for COVID-19 vaccination

    Advice and Information -

    The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is advising that all 16 and 17 year olds receive their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

  6. Improving Dental Information Online

    Report -

    During the past 18 months, patients have found it very difficult to find up-to-date information about NHS dental practices. Read our report to find out why and how patients could be better supported to find the information they need.

  7. Improving Dental Information Online

    News -

    During the past 18 months, patients have found it very difficult to find up to date information about NHS dental practices. Read our report to find out why and how patients could be better supported to find the information they need.

  8. Health and Social Care Bill moves through Parliament

    News -

    A Health and Social Care Bill was introduced to Parliament in early July.

  9. Young people aged 12-15 are being encouraged to have a COVID-19 vaccination

    Advice and Information -

    The Government are encouraging all 12–15 year olds to have their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

  10. 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.

  11. NHS sets plan to improve GP access

    News -

    The NHS has published a plan for improving access to GP appointments for patients alongside supporting GPs and their teams.

  12. Feeling the effects of Long COVID? There is help available.

    Advice and Information -

    For some people who have had Coronavirus (COVID-19), their symptoms can last for a long time after the initial infection has gone.

  13. 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.

  14. Ask your GP to become Veteran Friendly

    News -

    This Remembrance Day, show your support for veterans by encouraging your Hertfordshire GP practice to become Veteran Friendly accredited, so they can provide better care for veteran patients and, in some cases, prioritise their treatment.

  15. 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.

  16. New winter wellbeing guide for all Hertfordshire households

    News -

    This winter, it is more important than ever that we do what we can to boost our immunity and stay as healthy and well as possible.

  17. Working Together to Improve GP Access

    News -

    By working together with patients, GPs and the NHS, we are helping tackle the widespread concerns voiced by patients about accessing GP services since the pandemic.

  18. Plans to accelerate Covid-19 booster vaccination programme

    Advice and Information -

    The Government recently announced plans to accelerate the booster vaccination programme in England.

  19. Concerns about dental care at a record high

    News -

    Healthwatch England research has provided a stark reminder that decision-makers must act quickly to improve dentistry.

  20. 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.

  21. Barbara Birch: Volunteer Interview

    Blog -

    Barbara is an Enter & View Authorised Representative and has been volunteering with us since 2016.

  22. 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.

  23. 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.

  24. England has returned to Plan A - Covid-19 guidance

    Advice and Information -

    The Government recently announced an easing of a number of Covid-19 restrictions with a move back to Plan A.

  25. Latest update on the Covid-19 vaccination programme

    Advice and Information -

    The vaccination programme has recently been extended to protect clinically vulnerable children aged 5 – 11.

  26. Supporting recovery after Covid-19

    Advice and Information -

    Everyone who has COVID-19 is affected in different ways and recovers differently.

  27. 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.

  28. Joining up services in East and North Herts

    News -

    A Community Assembly for the East and North Hertfordshire Health and Care Partnership has recently been formed and provides a new opportunity for patient and community voices to be heard.

  29. 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.

  30. Having problems with your GP Practice, but not sure what you can do? We can help.

    Advice and Information -

    Knowing who to speak to about problems with your GP Surgery can be complicated, especially since GP Surgeries have changed how they talk to patients due to the pandemic. Read on to find out what you can do.

  31. 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.

  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. 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.

  34. Never too young for bowel cancer

    News -

    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.

  35. Consultation on the Hertfordshire Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2022

    News -

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

  36. Going digital: What children and young people with learning disabilities want from a digital health app.

    Report -

    Children and young people with learning disabilities tested the digital health app 'Hear Me Now' to see if and how it could help them better manage their health. This is what they told us.

  37. 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.

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

    News -

    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.

  39. 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.

  40. 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.

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

    News -

    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.

  42. 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.

  43. All over-50s to be offered COVID-19 booster and flu jab this autumn

    Advice and Information -

    Everyone aged 50 and over will be among those offered a COVID-19 booster and a flu jab this autumn under plans to increase protection against respiratory viruses ahead of winter.

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

    News -

    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.

  45. Tackling mental health and substance misuse together

    News -

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

  46. Programme for Covid-19 autumn booster and annual flu jabs announced

    Advice and Information -

    Everyone aged 50 and over, people working in frontline health and social care, and people who are at high risk, will be among those offered a COVID-19 booster and a flu jab this autumn.

  47. What do people think about using data to improve their health?

    Report -

    Working in partnership with the University of Cambridge we explored what people think about the drive to bring together different types of health data to inform care, public health and research.

  48. 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.

  49. Want to be a Patient Safety Partner?

    News -

    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.

  50. Struggling to find a dentist and not sure what to do? We have the answers

    Advice and Information -

    We have heard from a huge number of patients who can’t access NHS dentistry. Here is some advice to help.