1. Where can I go for support for my mental health as a parent?

    Advice and Information -

    We've pulled together a number of services for parents in need of support for their mental health. Read more to find out where you can go to get the help you need.

  2. Covid-19 Patient Experiences – What can Hertfordshire learn?

    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.

  3. Patient Led Assessment of the Care Environment (PLACE) 2014

    Report -

    Read about Healthwatch Hertfordshire’s experience of participating in PLACE audits with 5 NHS Trusts and their recommendations to the Trusts to improve the process for patient assessors.

  4. Patient Led Assessment of the Care Environment (PLACE) 2015

    Report -

    Read about Healthwatch Hertfordshire’s experience of participating in PLACE audits with 6 NHS Trusts and their recommendations to the Trusts to improve the process for patient assessors.

  5. Patient Led Assessment of the Care Environment (PLACE) 2016

    Report -

    Read about Healthwatch Hertfordshire’s experience of participating in PLACE audits with 6 NHS Trusts and their recommendations to the Trusts to improve the process for patient assessors.

  6. 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.’

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. Local Health and Care Providers respond to our questions following the Lucy Letby Verdict

    Report -

    Following the tragic events at the Countess of Chester hospital, people using health services across Hertfordshire needed to know how similar incidents would be prevented, identified and dealt with.

  15. 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.

  16. 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).

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. 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.

  21. 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.

  22. 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.

  23. 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.

  24. 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.

  25. 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.

  26. Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Review – Engagement Events

    News -

    We need your help to plan the future of Mount Vernon Cancer Centre services.

  27. Covid-19 Patient Experiences – What can Hertfordshire learn?

    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.

  28. Herts County Council: Direct Payments Survey

    News -

    It’s survey time!

  29. Changes to Integrated Musculoskeletal (MSK) Service in Herts Valley – COVID 19 Update

    Advice and Information -

    The Integrated Musculoskeletal (MSK) services in Herts Valleys have now moved all appointments to either virtual or telephone appointments.

  30. Proposed move of Moorfields Eye Hospital

    News -

    Plans are in place to move Moorfields Eye Hospital to a new location and design a new patient friendly centre.

  31. Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Review – Update

    News -

    Healthwatch Hertfordshire alongside Healthwatch Hillingdon has been supporting the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Review led by NHS England Specialised Commissioning.

  32. Postponement of Healthwatch activity during the coronavirus outbreak

    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.

  33. Coronavirus Advice – Updated on 19th May 2020

    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.

  34. Non-Emergency Patient Transport Survey

    News -

    The East of England Ambulance service took over the contract for Non-Emergency Patient Transport in October 2018. This means that they now provide the service across Hertfordshire instead of the previous provider.

  35. East & North Herts CCG – have your say on proposed changes to Urgent Care Centre opening hours

    News -

    East and North Hertfordshire CCG is talking to the public, NHS staff and stakeholders about its proposal to close the Urgent Care Centre at the New QEII Hospital overnight.

  36. Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Review

    News -

    The Mount Vernon Cancer Centre provides outpatient chemotherapy, nuclear medicine, brachytherapy and haematology as well as radiotherapy.

  37. Viewpoint get involved with service commissioning

    News -

    Throughout April and May, Drug and Alcohol commissioners asked Viewpoint to be involved in the commissioning of a new housing service for homeless people with addiction issues.

  38. Proposed Changes to Moorfields Eye Hospital

    News -

    A formal public consultation has been launched on a proposal to move the services of Moorfields Eye Hospital in City Road, London to a new centre in King’s Cross.

  39. Royal Free Pharmacy and Phlebotomy

    News -

    In March 2019, the contract for the outpatient pharmacy at the Royal Free Hospital which was provided by Lloyd’s pharmacy ran out. As a result, the service is currently being provided by the newly established Royal Free London Pharmacy Services.

  40. Have your say on how the NHS should change in Hertfordshire

    News -

    People keen to influence the future of the NHS in Hertfordshire are being encouraged to make their views known at a number of events this month.

  41. IVF Treatment Returns

    News -

    In October 2017, Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group (HVCCG) took the decision to withdraw all funding for IVF treatment, which is one of several techniques to help people with fertility problems having a baby.

  42. NHS Long Term Plan

    News -

    With growing pressure on the NHS – an ageing population, more people living with long-term conditions, and lifestyle choices affecting people’s health – changes are needed to make sure everybody gets the support they need.

  43. Big Changes to Adult Community Care

    News -

    Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group, who cover the Three Rivers, Decorum, Watford, St Albans, and Hertsmere areas, have awarded the adult community health care contract to Central London Community Health Care Trust.

  44. CQC Announces new Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has appointed Kate Terroni as Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and starts her new role in May.

  45. New Trust Chief Executive ‘returns’ to her home town and county

    News -

    Christine Allen has been appointed as Chief Executive of the West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust. Born in Watford she is a high achiever with an impressive track record as a leader in the NHS.

  46. 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.

  47. Dorothy Hosein named as Interim Chief Executive

    News -

    Ambulance bosses have announced today that Dorothy Hosein has joined the service as interim CEO.

  48. Consultation: Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2018

    News -

    Hertfordshire County Council have asked us to let you know about a current consultation: The Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2018.

  49. East of England Ambulance Service to provide non-emergency transport Service

    News -

    The East of England Ambulance has been awarded a caretaker contract to provide non-emergency patient transport in Bedfordshire, Luton and Hertfordshire.

  50. NHS 111 First

    Advice and Information -

    To keep urgent NHS services safe and to make sure that they are available for everyone who needs them, an appointment system for urgent and emergency care is being introduced across the country from 1 December.