1. Where can I go for support for my mental health as a parent?

    Advice and Information -

    We've pulled together a number of services for parents in need of support for their mental health. Read more to find out where you can go to get the help you need.

  2. 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.

  3. Warrington Hospital Ward visits

    Report -

    Report on a joint visit to wards at WarringtonHospital in June 2019 with Healthwatch Warrington.

    Involved in the visit were staff and volunteers from Healthwatch Halton and Healthwatch Warrington

  4. Maternity Matters

    Report -

    This report focuses on maternity services and the experiences of women from Halton who have given birth in the past 12 -18 months.

  5. ICON Week: Organisations come together to raise awareness of infant crying and how to cope

    News -

    “Babies cry, you can cope!” that’s the key message from NHS, local authorities and healthcare organisations from across the country who are coming together this September to promote lifesaving messages to parents.

  6. Warrington and Halton Maternity Self referral

    News -

    Women can self refer for maternity care at Warrington and Halton Hospitals; using a quick online form. There is no need to visit your GP first.
    People who have chosen to birth at the Liverpool Women's Hospital, can also use this online form to register for their community antenatal care.

  7. Baby Loss Awareness Week

    News -

    This year marks the 20th year of Baby Loss Awareness Week in the UK – a week for everyone in the baby loss community and beyond to come together to remember and commemorate our much-loved and missed babies.

  8. Tell us your story of maternal mental health care

    News -

    Pregnancy is a major life event for any family. It can be joyful and fulfilling but also challenging. We’re launching a national survey to understand if care works for new mothers and birthing parents. Share your story

  9. I'm pregnant. What happens next?

    Advice and Information -

    Becoming a parent can be a wonderful and exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming. To help, we’ve broken down the pregnancy care you should expect from the NHS.

  10. Maternal mental health: The changes your feedback made possible

    News -

    Healthwatch researched maternity issues through a national survey of 2,693 people, 42 Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), NHS trusts and GP surgeries, and 20 interviews with new mothers. 
    Your experiences of maternal mental health care continue to shape NHS services, with NHS England recently announcing improvements to maternity and neo-natal services.

  11. Baby Loss Awareness Week 2023

    News -

    Baby Loss Awareness Week (BLAW) is a time for everyone in the baby loss community and beyond to come together, to remember much-loved and missed babies, and raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss.

  12. Midwifery practice and maternity care in the UK - what matters to you?

    News -

    Influence the future of research, and help find the top 10 priorities for midwifery practice and maternity care. The Royal College of Midwives want to find out the most important gaps in knowledge and hear what matters to you when it comes to pregnancy, birth and postnatal care.

  13. Call for Evidence - House of Lords Preterm Birth Committee.

    News -

    The House of Lords Preterm Birth Committee has published its call for evidence. The Committee is inviting individuals and organisations to share their views on a series of topics related to its inquiry.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. How can your pharmacy help you?

    Advice and Information -

    Did you know that pharmacies provide advice and information on minor illnesses and ailments? Take a look at how they can help you.

  17. 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.

  18. Your experiences of trying to get prescription medication

    Blog -

    People rely on prescription medication to treat and manage their conditions and keep well. In Healthwatch England's new blog, they highlight the challenges people have recently told them about when trying to get prescription medication.

  19. 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.

  20. Campaign launched to help people save money on prescriptions

    Advice and Information -

    A new NHS England campaign aims to raise awareness of prescription saving schemes.

  21. How your local pharmacy can support you

    News -

    It’s ‘Ask Your Pharmacist Week’ (30 October to 6th November) and health professionals in Cheshire and Merseyside are reminding you about the range of healthcare services and support available at your local pharmacy.

  22. 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.

  23. Make more time for the important things - order repeat prescriptions on the NHS App

    News -

    Patients in Cheshire and Merseyside can save time by ordering regular medication using the NHS App.

    The NHS App is the quickest and easiest way to order a repeat prescription – and it puts you in better control of your own health.

    You can use the App to order your medication at a time that’s convenient for you, and select which pharmacy you would like your medication to be sent to each time you order.

  24. What can the Pharmacy First scheme do for me?

    Advice and Information -

    The new Pharmacy First scheme enables your local pharmacy to treat some common conditions with prescription-only medicines, without you visiting your GP. Find out everything you need to know.

  25. NHS Prescription charges from 1 May 2024

    News -

    The Department of Health and Social Care has announced that NHS prescription charges will increase on 1 May 2024.

  26. Pharmacy: What People Want report

    News -

    Healthwatch report, "Pharmacy: what people want", explores the current state of pharmacy services and offers actions for healthcare leaders and the wider sector.
    The report dives into people’s experiences of and attitudes towards pharmacy services at the outset of Pharmacy First.