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News -
During the first lockdown, we celebrated the NHS and others who put their own health at risk to deliver what services they could. However, there have been challenges and concerns raised about how patients have been affected. -
Report -
When the NHS launched its ambitious long-term plan in 2019, we asked you what you thought local priorities should be. Thanks to your feedback, the NHS should now have a stronger focus on involving the public in changes to community & health services. -
Report -
Our report on people's experiences of health, social care and community support during the pandemic is published today. It contains the views of more than 660 Hertfordshire residents. Find out what people told us. -
Report -
Through our involvement with the Information Sharing work stream of the Better Care Fund Programme, we worked with colleagues from health & social care to better understand people’s views on the way health information is collected, recorded & shared. -
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. -
News -
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. -
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Across East and North Hertfordshire, a new survey has been launched to gain vital feedback on end of life care to help improve services and share learnings. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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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. -
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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. -
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. -
News -
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. -
News -
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. -
News -
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. -
Report -
To ensure community nursing meets the needs of East of England patients into the future, we worked with NHS England and local Healthwatch to find out what people thought about the service and how it could be improved. -
News -
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. -
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. -
Advice and Information -
The Hertfordshire and West Essex Shared Care Record connects GP practices, hospitals, hospices, out-of-hours/community/mental health services and adult social care information for health professionals. -
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. -
News -
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. -
Advice and Information -
The number of people being cared for in their own homes is increasing but what should you expect from home care services? -
Advice and Information -
Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving. -
Advice and Information -
Self-isolation, social distancing and shielding have been introduced by the Government to help you and your loved ones stay safe from COVID-19. Find out what they mean in practice and what applies to you. -
News -
Healthwatch Hertfordshire CEO Geoff Brown reflects on learning from the pandemic from a Healthwatch and patient perspective during an eventful year. -
News -
Our Annual Report 2019/20 is now published online. The report details the work that we have been doing over the past year to help the patient voice in Hertfordshire and to recommend improvements to health and social care services. -
Advice and Information -
As older people are at an increased risk of severe illness, NHS and Government guidance advises that older people need to be particularly stringent in following social distancing and staying at home. -
Advice and Information -
On the 22nd of June, the Government updated the advice for those shielding. The new advice is being carried out in two phases on 6th of July and 1st of August. The advice takes into account the reduction in COVID-19 infection rates in recent weeks. -
Advice and Information -
From Monday 15th June in line with Government recommendations, outpatients and visitors attending hospital must wear a face covering at all times to help prevent the spread of injection and keep everyone safe. -
Advice and Information -
From Monday, 1 June, people who are shielding are able to go out once a day for exercise but they must maintain social distancing.
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Advice and Information -
The NHS has contacted people who are at risk of severe illness if they catch coronavirus – this is because they have an underlying health condition which makes them clinically extremely vulnerable. -
Advice and Information -
Data has shown that the number of people going to A&E has dropped, prompting concerns that the seriously ill may be staying away because of concerns about catching coronavirus, or not wanting to place additional burden on the NHS.
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Advice and Information -
The Commission on Human Medicines has now confirmed that there is no clear evidence that using ibuprofen to treat symptoms such as a high temperature can make coronavirus (COVID-19) worse. -
Advice and Information -
You may have heard the word ‘shielding’ in reference to coronavirus. Shielding is the word used to describe how to protect those at highest risk of severe illness if they catch coronavirus. -
Advice and Information -
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the NHS is encouraging people, especially those at the highest risk of COVID-19, to talk about their preferences for end of life care.
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Advice and Information -
Grief is something people experience when someone close to use dies. People react in different ways when someone dies, and there is no right or wrong way to feel.
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Advice and Information -
In line with government guidelines, the vast majority of the public in Hertfordshire are protecting themselves and others from coronavirus by staying at home.
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Advice and Information -
Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, there have been local changes to the NHS provision of non-essential outpatient appointments. -
Advice and Information -
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is affecting all our daily lives. Social distancing and self-isolation in particular can be difficult to cope with, and can have a significant impact on our mental health -
Advice and Information -
The Integrated Musculoskeletal (MSK) services in Herts Valleys have now moved all appointments to either virtual or telephone appointments.
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News -
How you can contribute to the health service’s efforts in this difficult time - East of England Ambulance Service are looking to recruit temporary workers.
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Healthwatch Hertfordshire’s Chief Executive Geoff Brown has an important message for us all. -
Advice and Information -
In light of recent Public Health and Healthwatch England advice we have been reviewing our activity in response to the coronavirus outbreak. -
Advice and Information -
In response to the current crisis surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19), please see below some key information that we hope will be useful to the public within Hertfordshire and beyond. -
Advice and Information -
The Coronavirus outbreak is placing huge press on our local hospitals. So that they can look after patients with acute needs, hospitals are changing the way patients are discharged -
Advice and Information -
The Coronavirus outbreak is placing huge pressure on our local hospitals. So that they can look after patients with acute needs, hospitals are changing the way patients are discharged. -
News -
Healthwatch Hertfordshire has been rallying to help people struggling to access urgent dental care services during the pandemic, ensuring they get the treatment they desperately need.
