News and reports

People across Halton will be offered a free lung health check to catch cancer early, when it is treatable. After a successful phase 1, which including certain areas of the borough, more people are now being offered the potentially life saving lung health checks through the Targeted Lung Health Programme.

We continue to receive a lot of enquiries from people in Halton having difficulty finding an NHS dentist that is taking on new patients. Unfortunately, this is an issue both locally and nationally, at the moment.

The following information can support you if you are currently in need of an NHS dentist.

Healthwatch new research highlights that pressures in the NHS have serious consequences on people's lives and widen health inequalities.
Healthwatch commissioned a survey of 1084 people who have seen their NHS care either cancelled or postponed this year to understand the extent of disruption to care amid rising waiting lists, workforce issues, and industrial action, and other pressures on the NHS.

Findings from a survey of more than 36,000 people who used NHS urgent and emergency care services in September 2022 show that many people had a worse experience than in previous years – particularly those treated in an A&E type department.

You could save a life in your community. St. John Ambulance want to ensure that no one dies through lack of first aid provision. That’s why they have set up the CPR Community Network to ensure that everyone has access to basic life support training in person, online or by using their Resource Hub to give you the confidence to respond in an emergency.

Communication is an essential foundation life skill that supports many other areas of development such as: behaviour, emotional wellbeing and lifelong learning. As parents and carers you play a vital role in supporting your child's speech, language and communication skills.

The Alzheimer’s Society provides post diagnostic support to people with a diagnosis of dementia and their families in both Halton and Warrington. Their Dementia Adviser Service offers a personalised one-to-one service, providing information, signposting and support to anyone affected by dementia.

Evidence from thousands of children and young people collected by our colleagues at Healthwatch Blackpool has been referenced repeatedly in the House of Commons over the past few weeks as concerns grow about vaping among this age group.
The report highlights the worrying prevalence and impact of vaping amongst children and young people, highlighting the views and experiences of children and young people themselves, as well as their families, and professionals who work with them.

National GP patient survey sees a further fall in satisfaction, especially regarding making appointments. Read the Healthwatch response.

Alcohol Change UK wants to see a Britain with alcohol but without serious alcohol harm. The average drinker in the UK spends £62,899 on alcohol in a lifetime based on a new estimate from Alcohol Change UK. We might expect that, for this amount of money, the benefits would be huge. But this brings with it many additional personal costs.

Healthwatch welcome the creation of an independent public inquiry to learn lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic. The lessons from this inquiry could improve how government, NHS England, health and care providers and commissioners respond to future pandemics or public health emergencies.

With the NHS turning 75 this week, Louise Ansari, Chief Executive of Healthwatch England, reflects on why listening to users of health and care services is so integral to improving the quality and safety of care.
As the NHS turns 75 this, we should celebrate all the institution does for us and all the fantastic work its 1.2 million workers do to treat and care for us. But, we should also reflect on its challenges and how it needs to change to continue delivering safe, high-quality care for all.