1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Tell us what you think about Voluntary and Community Services

    News -

    On behalf of Hertfordshire County Council, we want to find out what you think of local voluntary and community services.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. Our Annual General Meeting 2023

    News -

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

  9. How informed are you about Type 2 Diabetes?

    News -

    Diagnoses of Type 2 Diabetes are growing at an alarming rate, so supporting people to reduce or manage their risk is essential. Whether you have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes or not, we want to hear from you.

  10. What’s your Cervical Screening story?

    News -

    If you’ve been invited to a Cervical Screening, did you attend or was there something preventing you? If you’ve been before, what was your experience like? Please share your thoughts in our survey.

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

    Report -

    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.

  12. Healthwatch Board Meeting in Public - Tuesday 22nd August 2023

    Report -

    Read more about our August 2023 Board Meeting. This time our Board Members reflected on the achievements of the past year and discussed the plans ahead.

  13. Find out about the vaccinations on offer this winter across Hertfordshire to protect people against flu and COVID-19

    Advice and Information -

    NHS England is moving forward the timetable for the autumn COVID-19 and flu vaccine rollouts.

  14. Community Assembly: News and Update

    News -

    The latest Community Assembly was held online, on 18th August 2023. 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.

  15. Supportive local pharmacies could do even more

    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.

  16. Sexual Health – what do you need?

    News -

    Hertfordshire County Council want to make sure that everyone has easy access to the tests and treatments they need to reduce Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). To help with this, we want to hear your thoughts and experiences in this survey.

  17. 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.

  18. Feeling Good Week 2024 - Applications are open!

    News -

    Feeling Good Week is a Hertfordshire-wide event that encourages the community to promote children and young people’s emotional wellbeing by raising awareness of mental health, and showing where support can be accessed within the community.

  19. Heart Health – Younger People Need to be Taken Seriously

    News -

    People under the age of 45, particularly men, have told us they want local health services to listen to their concerns and provide better support and care when it comes to heart health.

  20. Shared Care Record - Connecting health and care information

    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.

  21. Calls for Autism Health Checks across Hertfordshire

    News -

    Autism Health Checks are being piloted in Hertfordshire and our latest research shows strong support to extend the programme County-wide, improving healthcare for those who may find it challenging to access GPs.

  22. Healthwatch Board Meeting in Public - Tuesday 21st November 2023

    Report -

    Read more about our November 2023 meeting in public. This time our Board members will be discussing our latest contract monitoring submission and planning their Board meetings for the year ahead.

  23. 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.

  24. GPs should better support People with Learning Disabilities

    News -

    We listened to what people with learning disabilities told us about how doctors’ surgeries helped them stay healthy and well and came up with some ideas to make things better in Hertfordshire.

  25. Community Assembly: News and Update

    News -

    On 24th November, we held our latest Community Assembly. If you weren’t able to join us, this article summarises some of the key discussions and provides information about how to get involved next time.

  26. Menopausal Women call for improved GP training

    News -

    Women have told us they would like GPs to be better trained so they are more empathetic, listen to what women are saying and not dismiss their concerns when they ask for help with the menopause or perimenopause.

  27. What should I do if I’m unwell or need help over the festive period?

    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.

  28. Cost of Living Crisis: The Impact of our Research

    News -

    As a direct result of our Cost of Living research, local mental health services have teamed up with Hertfordshire County Council’s Money Advice Unit to provide help for those struggling financially and emotionally.

  29. 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.

  30. Cost of Living Research Shortlisted for National Award

    News -

    Healthwatch Hertfordshire has been shortlisted for a national award for its Cost of Living research, which has led to local mental health services teaming up with money advice specialists to help those struggling both financially and emotionally.

  31. Using Sexual Health Services – Experiences of Local People

    News -

    Hertfordshire adults generally have good access to local sexual health services, but have told us they want more information about infections, prevention and testing, as well as clinics in more discreet locations and additional online services.

  32. Hertfordshire Adult Referral Hub Mystery Shop

    Report -

    A telephone mystery shop of Hertfordshire’s Adult Referral Hub has found a professional, friendly service, although some improvements are needed to make it easier to speak to the right person or service.

  33. Small Changes Could Improve Cervical Screening Uptake

    News -

    Giving women more say over their cervical screening – such as allowing them to book appointments online, offering appointments outside normal GP hours and making them aware of adjustments to improve their experience – could all help increase uptake.

  34. Healthwatch Hertfordshire Board Meeting in Public - Thursday 14th March 2024

    Report -

    Read more about our March 2024 Board Meeting in public. This time, our Board Members discussed the latest contract monitoring return and updates on the status of our recruitment drives.

  35. Community Assembly: News and Update

    News -

    Friday 16th February saw the first Community Assembly of 2024 with an energetic and engaged cross-sector member turn-out. If you weren’t able to join us, this article provides a summary of the key issues discussed.

  36. Herts Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services Improving Lives

    News -

    Drug and alcohol recovery and reintegration services in Hertfordshire have been positively described as “life-changing” by service users and carers.

  37. Does your child receive NHS orthodontic care? We want to hear from you.

    News -

    We are working with the NHS to ensure children and young people receive the orthodontic care and treatment they need. If you have a child using NHS orthodontic services, we want to hear from you.

  38. Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH) NHS Trust Patient Representatives

    Advice and Information -

    CLCH is looking for Patient Representatives to help improve services, develop new ideas, better understand diverse health needs and focus on what matters most to patients.

  39. Detecting and Managing Atrial Fibrillation in Black, Asian and other Ethnic Groups in Areas of Deprivation

    Report -

    A local project aimed at improving detection and management of Atrial Fibrillation in ethnically diverse communities has provided valuable insights into work that can be done to prevent heart disease.

  40. Community Assembly - Year in Review 23-24

    News -

    Since it was launched in September 2021, the Community Assembly for the East and North Herts Health and Care Partnership has grown from strength to strength. Chaired by Healthwatch Hertfordshire, the Assembly has explored issues of concern and heard about some exciting new projects aimed at improving patient experience.

  41. Cost of Living Research receives National Accolade

    News -

    Healthwatch Hertfordshire has been commended nationally for its Cost of Living research, which led to local mental health services teaming up with money advice specialists to help those struggling both financially and emotionally.

  42. Herts Trusts achieve Veteran Aware accreditation

    News -

    Two Hertfordshire NHS Trusts have earned Veteran Aware accreditation, recognising their expertise in addressing the needs of the Armed Forces Community when providing community-based healthcare services.

  43. Healthwatch General Meeting in Public - 2nd May 2024

    Report -

    Join us for our Extraordinary General Meeting, where the company will be voting to elect new members of the Board of Trustees.

  44. The Accessible Information Standard - What you can expect from services

    Advice and Information -

    A year ago the Accessible Information Standard came into force. It requires any organisation providing NHS or social care to communicate in a way that everybody can understand. Here's a reminder of what you should expect.

  45. 10 top tips to get the most out of your GP appointment

    Advice and Information -

    We know from our conversations with the public that some patients report feeling rushed during appointments and struggling to make themselves heard. Here are some tips that could help you get the most out of visiting your GP.

  46. What should you expect from home care services?

    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?

  47. 10 top tips to get the most out of your dental appointment

    Advice and Information -

    Everyone should be able to access good quality NHS dental services. Take a look at our top tips to help you get the most out of your next dental appointment.

  48. Diabetes Week

    Event -

  49. Carers Week

    Event -