1. Registering with your GP: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    You've told us that you've experienced problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what to do if you're refused the right to register.

  2. Do you need help travelling to NHS services?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.

  3. What is a virtual ward?

    Advice and Information -

    With more and more appointments happening online, we've put together some tips on how to get the most out of the virtual health and care appointments both for patients and health and care professionals.

  4. Top tips for patients: Making the most of video and telephone appointments

    Advice and Information -

    The way people access healthcare has changed a lot during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  5. GP access during COVID-19 review – Healthwatch England

    Report -

    In an extensive review of people’s access to GP services, Healthwatch England have analysed a range of sources, drawing on almost 200,000 people’s experiences shared between April 2019 and December 2020.

  6. What should I do if my GP removes me from their list?

    Advice and Information -

    If you’re removed from your GP practice’s list, you may need to register with another GP practice.

  7. What is a GP referral and how can you get one?

    Advice and Information -

    When you need specialist NHS support, like hospital tests or treatment, you often need a referral from your GP first. Find out what this includes and what to expect.

  8. GP Websites Review

    Report -

    During December 2020 and January 2021, a group of Healthwatch volunteers went online and visited all 14 local GP practice websites.

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

    News -

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

  10. What medical support are you entitled to if you’re new to the UK

    Advice and Information -

    For new arrivals to the UK it can be confusing where to go if you need medical assistance. Here we outline your rights as a refugee, where you can access emergency help and how to register for a GP.

  11. GP referrals: we need to address the ‘hidden’ waiting list

    Blog -

    The latest research from Healthwatch England follows people's experiences of getting a GP referral.
    The process for many is long and often confusing. There is a need to address issues around people's GP referral journey so that it works for everyone.

  12. More admin staff needed to help tackle GP access issues

    News -

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

  13. What help can you get to pay for your prescriptions?

    Advice and Information -

    The cost-of-living crisis is putting many people under financial strain, and prescription costs are more than some people can afford to pay. Find out what help is available to help you cover the cost of your medication.

  14. STAMMA recommends changes in GP appointment booking systems

    News -

    STAMMA, the British Stammering Association, recommends changes in GP appointment booking systems nationwide after a survey showed that phone-only systems and lack of staff training cause people who stammer to face physical and mental distress, delayed appointments, and late diagnoses.

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

    News -

    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. The impact of waiting: the stories behind the numbers

    News -

    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.

  17. What is social prescribing?

    Advice and Information -

    Around one in five GP visits are for non-medical problems. Many things that affect our health can’t be treated by doctors or medicine alone. This includes loneliness, money problems, housing, education or employment status. NHS social prescribing link workers can connect you to the right community groups and services to help support you.

  18. NHS outlines how it will help improve access to GP practices across Cheshire and Merseyside

    News -

    ​​​​​​​A new report sets out NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s plan for improving access and making it easier and simpler for patients to access the care they need, and supporting GP practices to manage demand and capacity through a range of additional measures. In 2023/24 this will be supported by a total of £90 million investment in primary care general practice and related measures contained in the plan.

  19. Can I access my GP records online?

    Advice and Information -

    From 31 October 2023, GP surgeries must give patients online access to their new health record entries. Find out what information is in your record and how to access it.

  20. 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!

  21. How to get the most out of your GP appointment

    Advice and Information -

    Do you struggle to speak to your doctor about your medical concerns? You’re not alone.
    Take a look at our top tips to make the most out of your GP appointment.

  22. Another day in the life

    Report -

    This report covers feedback gathered from patients at the two local Urgent Care Centres between July 2017 and January 2018. This was carried out as a follow up to visits to the centres in December 2015. Our aim was to ask patients why they visited the Urgent Care Centres and to find out if the centres were helping to divert people away from the overstretched A&E units.

  23. A view from the waiting room - Halton Urgent Care Centres

    Report -

    Summary report on drop-in visits to the two Halton Urgent Care Centres carried out between January and August 2019

  24. A day in the life - Runcorn UCC

    Report -

    On 8 December 2015 we visited Runcorn Urgent Care Centre and spent the day speaking to patients using the centre.
    We arrived at 7.15am and stayed at the UCC until close at 10.00pm.

  25. A day in the life - Widnes UCC

    Report -

    On 3 December 2015 we visited Widnes Urgent Care Centre and spent the day speaking to patients using the centre.
    We arrived at 7.30am and stayed at the UCC until close at 10.00pm.

  26. Join a community conversation with North West Ambulance Service

    News -

    People living and working in Cheshire are invited by North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) to share their views and experiences of our 999 emergency ambulance service and NHS 111 as part of a conversation with the community.

  27. Runcorn UTC Feedback report - September 2022

    Report -

    During June, July and August we visited the Urgent Treatment Centre four times and collected the experiences of 72 patients using the Centre.

  28. Widnes UTC Feedback report - September 2022

    Report -

    During June, July and August we visited the Urgent Treatment Centre four times and collected the experiences of 77 patients using the Centre.

  29. Runcorn UTC - Patient Feedback report January 2023

    Report -

    We visited the Runcorn UTC twice, in November and December 2022, and spoke with 48 patients.

    This report provides a snapshot of the experiences of those patients.

  30. Urgent and emergency care recovery plan

    News -

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

  31. National survey highlights decline in people’s experience of urgent and emergency care.

    News -

    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.

  32. Widnes UTC Feedback report - February 2023

    Report -

    This report is based on feedback collected from 36 patients attending Widnes Urgent Treatment Centre on 16 November 2022 and 14 February 2023.

  33. Runcorn UTC - Patient Feedback report March 2023

    Report -

    We visited the Runcorn UTC twice, on 9 January and 13 March 2023, and spoke with 40 patients.

    This report provides a snapshot of the experiences of those patients.

  34. Runcorn Urgent Treatment Centre

    Report -

    Patient Feedback report on Runcorn Urgent Treatment Centre.
    We carried out five visits to the Runcorn UTC between 30 October 2023 and 23 November 2023.
    Each visit lasted between two and three hours and in total 113 people took the time to give us their experience.