1. 50 new surgical hubs set to open across England - Healthwatch response

    Response -

    The Government has today announced plans to open 50 new surgical hubs across England. The hubs aim to deliver almost two million extra routine operations to cut waiting lists over the next three years.

  2. Musculoskeletal Clinical Assessment and Triage Service (MSKCATS) – Physiotherapy referral update.

    News -

    From 10 October 2022, patients who use the Musculoskeletal Clinical Assessment and Triage Service (MSKCATS) will be referred by contacting their GP practice rather than self-referring. 

  3. Ambulance service strike action

    News -

    Ambulance service staff from GMB and Unison trade unions will go on strike again on Wednesday, 11th January 2023, with Unison and Unite members taking further action on Monday, 23rd January 2023. This is a continuing dispute between trade unions and the government over pay.

  4. Help shape the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership Strategy

    News -

    Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership has today launched a survey to seek the views of its partners, people, and communities on the priorities within our interim strategy.

  5. Changes to Spirometry services

    News -

    The public’s views are being sought on changes being made to Spirometry services in Halton and Warrington. 

  6. Reducing differences in access to healthcare across Cheshire and Merseyside

    News -

    In July 2022, the responsibility for commissioning healthcare treatments for the population of Cheshire and Merseyside moved from clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to the newly formed integrated care board, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside.
    Previously local areas made local decisions about how healthcare treatments are commissioned, which over time has resulted in some differences across Cheshire and Merseyside. 

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

    News -

    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.

  8. Share your feedback to improve care in your community

    News -

    ‘Share for Better Care’, a new campaign launched by Healthwatch and the Care Quality Commission, addresses health inequalities across England.

  9. Help set our priorities for the next year!

    News -

    We want to hear what matters to you and what areas of health and social care you think we should focus on for the year ahead. We are also giving you the chance to win a £25 gift voucher!

  10. New NHS waiting times figures – Healthwatch England response

    Response -

    Two-thirds fewer people were waiting for more than two years for elective care in April, new figures have shown.

  11. Annual report 2021-22

    Report -

    We’re delighted to publish our annual report for 2021 - 2022. Find out what we’ve done in the past year to champion what matters to you.

  12. Conflicts of interest policy

    Report -

    Find out how we manage conflicts of interest for our staff, Board members and volunteers.

  13. Annual Report 2020 - 2021

    Report -

    We’re delighted to publish our annual report for 2020 - 2021.

  14. Annual Report 2019 - 2020

    Report -

    We’re delighted to publish our annual report for 2019 - 2020, covering 1 April 2019 – 31 March 2020

  15. Annual Report 2017 - 2018

    Report -

    Welcome to our fifth annual report, covering the April 2017 to March 2018

  16. Annual Report 2016 - 2017

    Report -

    Welcome to our fourth annual report, covering the April 2016 to March 2017

  17. Annual Report 2015 - 2016

    Report -

    Welcome to our third annual report, covering the April 2015 to March 2016.

  18. Annual Report 2014 - 2015

    Report -

    Welcome to our second annual report, covering the April 2014 to March 2015.

  19. Annual Report 2013 - 2014

    Report -

    Welcome to our first annual report, covering the April 2013 to March 2014

  20. Faster progress needed to tackle barriers to care.

    News -

    A new Healthwatch report, looking at health and social care from the patients' perspective, has warned that we risk "a two-tier health and care system" unless the NHS takes faster action to tackle access issues.

  21. Make a complaint about Healthwatch Halton

    Advice and Information -

    Engaging Communities Solutions (CIC) is contracted by Halton Borough Council to deliver Healthwatch Halton. Individuals and organisations have the right to express their views about the performance of Healthwatch Halton and the way in which it conducts its business.