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Part of our role at Healthwatch Halton is to understand the experiences of people who are using services and to give people an opportunity to speak up and have their voices heard.
On this occasion, we are interested in hearing from Halton residents about dentistry services and your experiences of getting appointments plus the costs of treatment at NHS Dentists. -
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Stoptober is back, calling on smokers in England to join more than 2.5 million others who have made a quit attempt with the campaign since it launched a decade ago in 2012. -
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It is National Eye Health Week. Vision really matters. Sight is the sense people fear losing the most, yet many of us don’t know how to look after our eyes – National Eye Health Week aims to change all that. -
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“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. -
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The National Institute for Health and Social Care Research Innovation Observatory is currently seeking views about areas of unmet health and care needs in people aged 60 and over. -
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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.
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As September draws to a close it is very important to remember the signs and symptoms of gynaecological cancer. There are five gynaecological cancers: womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal. Each year in the UK, over 22,000 women are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer. Sadly 21 women die each day from their gynaecological cancer. -
Easy read breast screening recall letters now available for all patients who require them nationally
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Breast screening patients across England are set to benefit from more accessible communications thanks to patient feedback to a local Healthwatch. Easy read follow up letters, for breast screening appointments, are now available to patients nationwide. -
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Mental health problems exist in our lives, families, workplaces and communities, impacting everyone. Mental health problems can affect anyone, any day of the year, but World Mental Health day (10/10) is a great day to show your support for better mental health and start looking after your own wellbeing. -
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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. -
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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. -
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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. -
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During June, July and August we visited the Urgent Treatment Centre four times and collected the experiences of 72 patients using the Centre. -
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During June, July and August we visited the Urgent Treatment Centre four times and collected the experiences of 77 patients using the Centre. -
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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. -
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Citizens Advice Halton has launched a new survey for parents and carers to assess the impact of rising costs of school uniforms and whether schools across the Borough are implementing changes to the law requiring genuinely affordable uniforms. -
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People aged 50 and over have started receiving COVID autumn booster and flu jabs, from Saturday 15 October, after the NHS expanded the vaccination offer to all over 50s.
The rollout means around 12 million more people are eligible for their autumn booster dose. -
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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. -
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The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration has launched a consultation giving people across the UK the opportunity to say how they think the pandemic should be remembered and with possible suggestions including the adoption of a Remembrance Sunday-style symbol, dedicated memorials and reflective spaces. -
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year Breast Cancer UK are talking about the causes of breast cancer and how we can act to prevent it.
Sadly not all breast cancer cases are preventable. But studies show that at least 30% of breast cancer cases are preventable. By making changes to your lifestyle you can reduce your risk of getting breast cancer. -
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Millions around the UK experience stress and it can be damaging to our health and wellbeing. Wednesday the 2nd of November 2022 is Stress Awareness Day. The day will be used to highlight the ways that stress can affect people and what you can do to manage your stress before it becomes a problem.
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We hold regular meetings with our Advisory Board in public where we discuss what we've been hearing from the public as well as our organisational direction and progress on projects. -
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Since 2003, Movember has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the world, challenging the status quo, shaking up men’s health research and transforming the way health services reach and support men. The funds raised develop work in mental health and suicide prevention, prostate and testicular cancer.
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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 -
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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. -
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When affected by cancer, having the right kind of support and information, at the right time, is essential. The Macmillan Delamere Support and Information Centre provides a confidential, drop-in service for anyone affected by cancer. -
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It has been eight years since the Children and Families Act 2014 introduced significant changes to the delivery of education, health and social care services to children and young people (aged 0–25) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
A joint Care Quality Commission/Ofsted inspection of Halton’s SEND provision in March 2017, whilst highlighting examples of good practice and improvement, identified areas for development, setting out specific areas for improvement.
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November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Pancreatic Cancer UK are calling on everyone to put a spotlight on a disease that deserves more attention because right now people are diagnosed too late: too late for treatment, too late to survive. By 2026, it will become the fourth-biggest cancer killer.
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We hold regular meetings with our Committee in public where we discuss what we've been hearing from the public as well as our organisational direction and progress on projects. -
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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. -
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Children’s Grief Awareness Week runs from the 17th - 23rd November 2022. Children’s Grief Awareness Week was initiated by Grief Encounter and the Childhood Bereavement Network in 2015, as a way to recognise and raise awareness of the bereavement experiences of children and young people.
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Safeguarding Adults Week 2022 will focus on the theme ‘Responding to Contemporary Safeguarding Challenges’.
Safeguarding Adults Week is a time for organisations to come together to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues. The week aims to enable more organisations and individuals to feel confident in recognising signs of abuse and neglect and recording and reporting safeguarding concerns.
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The latest statistics released by the NHS indicate that people are waiting longer for cancer support, posing a risk to people’s safety.
The latest data from September 2022 indicates that more people are unfortunately waiting longer than they should for their first cancer appointment. The percentage of patients receiving their first treatment within a month of diagnosis has also fallen.
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Not sure whether you’re eligible for a flu vaccine or how to get it? Read our frequently asked questions. -
Advice and Information -
Waiting for planned medical care or surgery can be a frustrating time. That’s why it’s so important that while you wait, you get regular, clear and accessible updates so that you can plan your next steps.
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Healthwatch Halton has published a report outlining the public’s views on the NHS Long Term Plan.
The NHS has produced a Long Term Plan, setting out all the things it wants health services to do better for people across the country. For these plans to work, the NHS needs to shape local plans based on local needs. We asked people #WhatWouldYouDo to improve local services in Cheshire and Merseyside.
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The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is now recruiting a new honorary Women Voices Lead (WVL) -
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Tips to help you stay well this winter and get the care you need. -
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World AIDS Day takes place on the 1st December each year. It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day. -
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We’ve called on NHS England to support people during any industrial action by staff.
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Halton residents will have the opportunity to shape how technology will be used to improve access to care across the borough.
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Recent reports of serious Group A Strep infections (GAS) can be worrying. Whilst the more serious Invasive GAS infections are still uncommon, there has been an increase in cases this year, particularly in children under 10 and sadly, a small number of deaths. -
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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. -
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Halton Health Hub opened to patients at the end of November 2022. The new Halton Health Hub is located within Runcorn Shopping City and provides three community based, outpatient services from Warrington and Halton Hospitals Foundation Trust:
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In a post-pandemic world where the cost-of-living crisis is beginning to hit home for many of us, prioritising our mental health and wellbeing is necessary. -
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As daylight gets shorter, nights get longer, the weather this week is certainly on the change to becoming chillier sitting at -0 and more. -
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Figures from NHS England show 7.2 million people were waiting to start routine treatment at the end of October, up from 7.1 million in September. Read our response.
Around 1,907 people in England were waiting for planned treatment, such as hip or knee replacements more than two years at the end of October, which is down slightly from 2,239 at the end of September.
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Stopping smoking is one of the best things you will ever do for your health. You health starts to improve right away and you will also save a lot of money.
When you stop, you give your lungs the chance to repair and you will be able to breathe easier. There are lots of other benefits too – and they start almost immediately.
So make this January your fresh start and join the thousands who are quitting. It's never too late to quit. You can do it. -
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This report highlights the public feedback received during our outreach session at Whiston Hospital on 5 December 2022.
