1. What should you expect when it comes to care for your teeth?

    Advice and Information -

    Four questions staff should ask you or a loved one about your oral health if you’re a care home resident, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence quick guide.

  2. What is adult social care?

    Advice and Information -

    Do you or a loved one need help with social care? Read the article below and find out answers to key questions about who can access adult social care and how to pay for it.

  3. Halton Haven - March 2020

    Report -

    We completed an announced visit at Halton Haven Hospice on 2 March 2020, on the request of the hospice, to learn about their work and patient care.

  4. Widnes Hall - January 2020

    Report -

    Report on our visit to Widnes Hall on 28 Jan 2020.

  5. Simonsfield Care Home

    Report -

    Report on our visit to Simonsfield Care Home on 27 Feb 2020

  6. St Patricks Care Home

    Report -

    Report on our visit to St Patrick’s on 14 January 2020

  7. Madeline McKenna Care Home

    Report -

    Report on our visit to Madeline McKenna Care Home on 10 December 2019

  8. Trewan House Care Home

    Report -

    Report on our visit to Trewan House on 21 November 2018

  9. Halton View Care Home

    Report -

    Report on our visit to Halton View Care Home on 16 October 2018

  10. Norton Lodge Care Home report

    Report -

    Report on our visit to Norton Lodge on 12 September 2018

  11. Getting social care right starts with good information and advice

    Blog -

    Would you know where to turn for social care support? New polling finds over 40% of people don’t. This confusion can result in people not getting the care they need. Read our latest findings.

  12. Visiting regulations consultation

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission (CQC) held a consultation in June 2023 on visiting in care homes, hospitals and hospices. They received over 1,400 responses from people receiving care, their friends and families, and health and care staff, and found clear support for introducing in law a new fundamental standard for visiting and accompanying.

  13. Ferndale Court - January 2024

    Report -

    Report on our visit to Ferndale Court on 9 January 2024.

  14. Halton View Care Home - January 2024

    Report -

    Report on our visit to Halton View Care Home on 17 January 2024.

  15. 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.

  16. 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. 

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. Changes to Spirometry services

    News -

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

  20. 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. 

  21. 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.

  22. 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.

  23. 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!

  24. 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.

  25. Where can I go to get help for my health out of hours?

    Advice and Information -

    People are often in need of out-of-hours medical assistance. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.

  26. What is domestic abuse and how can I get support?

    Advice and Information -

    If you are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who might be, find out where you can go for advice and help.

  27. Share your tips for Cervical Screening Awareness Week

    News -

    To mark Cervical Screening Awareness Week (20-26 June), Healthwatch Halton is joining Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to raise awareness of the test and encourage sharing of tips and experiences to help more women and people with a cervix to attend.

  28. Remember to order your repeat prescriptions before the bank holiday

    News -

    The North West’s chief pharmacist is reminding people not to leave it too late to order repeat prescriptions ahead of the four-day Jubilee bank holiday next week.

  29. You can save up to nine lives

    News -

    In 2020 the law around organ donation in England changed to an opt-out system, to enable more people to save more lives. This means that unless you choose to opt out, or are in an excluded group, you will be considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when you die.

  30. Open letter from NHS, charity and community leaders to people with a weakened immune system

    News -

    We join together as NHS and charity leaders to encourage people with a weakened immune system to continue to book in or visit a walk-in centre for their COVID-19 vaccines. All individuals aged 12 years and over who are immunosuppressed are advised to receive a Spring booster dose of the vaccine, typically six months after their last dose.

  31. Your care, your way – Join Healthwatch’s new campaign

    News -

    Clear, understandable information is important to help you make the right health and care decisions. Join our campaign and have your say on what needs to change.

  32. Access to non NHS MS services in Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool and South Sefton

    News -

    It is estimated that at least 1,788 people live with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) across Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley and South Sefton.

  33. National Breastfeeding Week

    News -

    It’s National Breastfeeding Week from the 27th of June to the 3rd of July 2022, and everyone has a part to play in helping mums to breastfeed. The theme for the week is ‘Everyone has a part to play in helping mums to breastfeed’. The key focus will be the difference that can be made if everyone supports breastfeeding e.g. partners, the wider family, community, health and education services and workplaces.

  34. How to access mental health support if you're lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender

    Advice and Information -

    Mental health problems are more common among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) people. If you are struggling, feel alone or need a little help, then check out our guide on how you can get the support you need.

  35. 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.

  36. What to do if you catch COVID-19 now

    Advice and Information -

    Although most restrictions have been lifted, in relation to Covid -19, the virus is still very much with us and cases are on the rise across England.

  37. How to complain about health and care services in Halton

    Advice and Information -

    Do you need to make a complaint about health and care services? Find out who to contact in Halton.

  38. What is Long Covid

    Advice and Information -

    Confused about Long Covid? Find out the common symptoms and when to get support.

  39. Support and treatment for Long Covid

    Advice and Information -

    It’s easy to feel isolated and alone when struggling with Long Covid, but we are here to help to you find the support and treatment you need.

  40. Disabled people report being blocked from NHS care due to poor communications

    News -

    Healthwatch England warns that health and care services are failing in their legal duty to provide accessible information for people with physical and learning disabilities. 

  41. COVID-19 Autumn booster and flu vaccine programme expansion

    News -

    The COVID-19 Autumn booster should be offered to the following groups:

  42. Cheshire and Merseyside Menopause Survey

    News -

    Cheshire and Merseyside Gynaecology Network Menopause Special Interest Group have launched the Cheshire and Merseyside Menopause Survey.

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

    News -

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

  44. Be clear on lung cancer

    Advice and Information -

    The North West has one of the highest numbers of registered lung cancer cases in England*.

  45. MS Information and Support Event for Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley and South Sefton

    News -

    Are you one of the 1800 + people with MS in Liverpool Halton, Knowsley and South Sefton?

    Would you like to find out more about the support and information that is available to you locally and also share your ideas and suggestions about new services that could be developed?

  46. 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.

  47. 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.

  48. Find out about high blood pressure

    Advice and Information -

    Around 21,000 people in Halton have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.

  49. Digital Exclusion report

    Report -

    This report looks at the experiences of people, from across eight local Healthwatch, including Halton, who were more likely to be digitally excluded than the general population in accessing primary care during the Covid-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions.

  50. 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.