1. Are NHS waiting times pushing more people to go private?

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    Record NHS waiting times appear to be increasing the number of people paying for private care, according to a new BBC analysis.

  2. Hope Course from Macmillan.

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    HOPE is a course developed by Macmillan Cancer Support and Coventry University to support you after cancer treatment.

  3. Are you or your loved one waiting to get a GP referral? Share your views

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    Have you or your loved one been left frustrated after struggling to get a GP referral for tests or treatment? You’re not alone.

  4. Record seven million people awaiting hospital treatment – Healthwatch response

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    With a record seven million people awaiting hospital treatment, Louise Ansari, our National Director, told BBC News that people need reassuring that the NHS is still there to help them.
    The number of people waiting for an appointment with the NHS England (NHSE) has topped seven million for the first time in August.

  5. Our position on patient transport

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    Getting to healthcare appointments can be impossible for some people – especially those who cannot travel or afford it. Find out what Healthwatch have recommended decision-makers do to improve the situation.

  6. Healthwatch position on safe hospital discharge

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    Recent changes to hospital discharge policy and processes have been positive. But the experiences we hear from people and families still vary. Find out what we're calling for to ensure people get the support they need during this time.

  7. Warrington and Halton Quality Priorities for 2023-2024.

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    Each year all NHS trusts and foundation trusts publish a Quality Account detailing information relating to quality, performance and improvements that have been undertaken during the preceding year.
    Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals (WHH) would now like to have your views on their Quality Priorities for 2023/2024.

  8. A&E delays are intolerable - Healthwatch response to new NHS performance stats

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    The waiting list for routine NHS care has fallen for the first time since the pandemic began.

    However, 7.19 million people are still waiting for hospital treatment, such as hip and knee replacements. This includes an estimated 1,423 people in England who have been waiting more than two years to start routine hospital treatment at the end of November.

  9. Urgent and emergency care recovery plan

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    Find out what was included in the recent urgent and emergency care recovery plan, and how this will affect services next winter.

  10. NHS 75th Birthday – Share your stories and memories of Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals

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    On 5 July 2023, the NHS will mark 75 years of service. Warrington and Halton Hospitals would like to celebrate this milestone by showcasing the best of their hospitals. You can get involved by sharing your stories and memories of the NHS.

  11. Junior Doctors plan for a five-day strike in July.

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    Junior Doctors are to hold a five-day strike in mid-July in what would be the longest period of industrial action in the history of the health service. The British Medical Association (BMA) confirmed that the five-day walkout would run from 7am, Thursday 13 July, until 7am Tuesday 18th July. This will be the fourth round of strikes by Junior Doctors since the start of the year.

  12. Cancellations of NHS care are having serious impacts on two-thirds of patients

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    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.

  13. My Planned Care - information as you wait for hospital care

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    My Planned Care gives you advice and support while you wait and helps you to prepare for your hospital consultation, treatment, or surgery. This includes giving you information about waiting times at your hospital and other supporting and local services while you wait.

  14. Have you or a loved one recently been discharged from hospital? 

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    Healthwatch Halton & Healthwatch Warrington are currently working with the NHS and want to hear from anyone who has been discharged from hospital, following an admission, in the last year.

    This is your opportunity to share your experience. What worked well? What could have been better?

  15. Third of people in England lack confidence they can access critical NHS services

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    New research from Healthwatch England shows worryingly low public confidence in being able to access NHS services. A third of adults in England lack confidence that they can access timely care, including GP services, mental health support and hospital care. Read the findings and the calls for action.

  16. Warrington & Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS FT Annual Members’ Meeting

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    Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will be holding its Annual Members’ Meeting on Wednesday 4th October 2023, 3.30pm to 4.30pm, in the Post Graduate Centre at Warrington Hospital.

  17. The impact of waiting: the stories behind the numbers

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    With the NHS under immense pressure, Healthwatch look at the impact that waiting for a diagnosis, test, or treatment can have on individuals and some of the potential solutions that might help.

  18. NHS to introduce Martha's rule for hospital patients - Healthwatch response

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    Healthwatch has welcomed the introduction of 'Martha's Rule' in NHS hospitals, a new policy to amplify the patient voice and improve safety in hospitals.

  19. Making your outpatient appointments work for you

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    Doctors across Cheshire and Merseyside are encouraging patients to make the most of the options available to them when managing their outpatient appointments.

  20. NHS urged to do more to help patients leave hospital safely

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    Healthwatch research reveals worrying problems with hospital discharge arrangements. Many people told us they are not given the right support or information when being discharged from hospital. Read their experiences and our calls to action.

  21. NHS in Cheshire and Merseyside takes steps to improve care and help speed up discharge for patients

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    New ambulances, elective hubs, virtual wards and care transfer hubs are amongst the innovative measures in place to ensure patients in Cheshire and Merseyside receive the best possible NHS care this winter.

  22. Public urged to use NHS 111 ahead of Christmas and New Year doctor strikes.

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    People across Cheshire and Merseyside are being urged to use NHS 111 for all non-emergency healthcare needs ahead of industrial action by junior doctors both ahead of Christmas and early in the New Year.

  23. Public urged to use NHS 111 ahead of New Year doctor strike

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    People across Cheshire and Merseyside are being urged to use NHS 111 for all non-emergency healthcare needs ahead of industrial action by junior doctors early in the New Year.

  24. Take part in Warrington and Halton Hospitals Innovation Survey

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    Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like to explore what innovation means to you as a patient, carer, service user and member of our community.

  25. Diagnostic services in Cheshire and Merseyside win funding to accelerate the use of AI to help diagnose Lung Cancer patients quicker

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    NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Radiology Imaging Network (CAMRIN) has secured funding from the NHS Transformation Directorate’s AI Diagnostic Fund to accelerate the deployment of AI to help diagnose lung cancer patients quicker.

  26. Hospitals Under Pressure With Three Times More Flu Patients Than Last Year.

    News -

    England’s top doctor has warned pressure on NHS hospitals this winter is “not letting up”, with thousands more patients in hospital compared to the same time last year.

    New weekly figures show there were 3,372 more patients in hospital each day last week (97,934) than the same period in 2023 (94,562).

  27. Public urged to use NHS 111 ahead of a further round of doctor strikes

    News -

    Unions have announced a further round of strike action by junior doctors in February 2024.
    The next junior doctors strike will run from 7:00am on Saturday 24th February until 7:00am on Thursday 29th February.