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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. -
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Just in time for this year’s 'Sober October’, a new health initiative designed in consultation with the public is being launched in Cheshire and Merseyside to help people cut down on the amount of alcohol they drink. -
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There are approximately 3,200 new cases of cervical cancer in the UK every year, which works out at nearly 9 new cases a day. But statistics don’t tell the full story, don’t show the impact that cervical cancer can have on real lives. We’re supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust because we want to raise awareness and the voices of those affected by cervical cancer. -
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National Eye Health Week 2023 is promoting the importance of good eye health and the need for regular eye tests for all.
Did you know 50% of sight loss is avoidable? 2 million people in the UK are living with sight loss, that is severe enough to have a significant impact on their daily lives. Problems with sight can also cause headaches, migraines, lack of concentration and many other issues.
It is so important we all do the simple things to keep our eyes healthy.
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Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will be holding its Annual Members’ Meeting on Wednesday 4th October 2023, 3.30pm to 4.30pm, in the Post Graduate Centre at Warrington Hospital. -
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Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is looking for highly motivated and enthusiastic volunteers who are committed to helping improve patient safety as a Patient Safety Partner (PSP). -
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A&E Watch was designed to gain a snapshot view of the NHS Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments in across Cheshire & Merseyside. On 13th January 2020, local Healthwatch from across the area visited their local A&E departments to gain experiences of patients and understand why they attended and how they thought services could be improved. -
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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. -
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Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression triggered by seasonal changes. One in twenty people in the UK are diagnosed with the condition, with men more likely to be diagnosed with SAD than women. -
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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. -
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75% of children and young people who experience mental health problems aren't getting the help they need. -
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Healthwatch has welcomed the introduction of 'Martha's Rule' in NHS hospitals, a new policy to amplify the patient voice and improve safety in hospitals. -
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Our November meeting will include an update our Annual Report from 2022 - 2023.
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Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has released a statement on the national ADHD medication shortage: You may have heard, either from your pharmacist or in the media, that there is a global shortage of some types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medicines.
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October is ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) awareness month. The 2023 ADHD Awareness Month theme is “Moving Forward with ADHD.”
ADHD isn’t just a childhood condition – it affects young people and adults as well. ADHD can affect all aspects of life, including home, school or workplace and relationships. -
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Understanding the symptoms of flu and what the flu vaccine is helps you make informed decisions about your health. -
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Take a look at what you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccination programme, including where to go and why it's important. -
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A new NHS England campaign aims to raise awareness of prescription saving schemes. -
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Find out what a ‘fit note’ is, when you might need one and how to go about getting one. -
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October is World Menopause Month, and October 18th celebrated as World Menopause Awareness Day, with the focus this year on cardiovascular health. -
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This report highlights the public feedback received during our outreach sessions at Whiston Hospital Hospital in June and August 2023. -
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Safeguarding Adults Week 2023 takes place from Monday 20 – Friday 24 November 2023.
It’s an opportunity for organisations to come together to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues. The aim is to highlight key safeguarding key issues, start conversations and raise awareness of safeguarding best practice. -
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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. -
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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. -
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The wait for planned medical care or surgery can be frustrating. That’s why you must get regular and accessible updates while you wa -
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Doctors across Cheshire and Merseyside are encouraging patients to make the most of the options available to them when managing their outpatient appointments. -
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The Government is calling on UK veterans and organisations to share their views and experiences in a consultation to help shape the future of veteran policies. -
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North West Ambulance Service Trust have been trialing a translation service app called Insight app following an extensive review of translation services at the trust and have now successfully rolled out the app across both their Paramedic Emergency Service (PES) and Patient Transport Service (PTS). -
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Self Care Week runs from 13-19 November this year. It's the annual, UK-wide awareness week run by the Self Care Forum charity. The aim is to encourage self care and make it an everyday habit and culture. -
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Engaging Communities Solutions (ECS) is an organisation that focuses on involving patients and the public in healthcare research and decision-making processes including the delivery of local Healthwatch. -
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Many people who provide unpaid care are unaware of their rights. Find out more about the help and support you are entitled to. -
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Healthwatch research reveals worrying problems with hospital discharge arrangements. Many people told us they are not given the right support or information when being discharged from hospital. Read their experiences and our calls to action.
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Men will die on average 4.5 years earlier than women and for reasons that are largely preventable, which means that it doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s five ways you can give yourself the best chance at living a healthy and long life. -
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With the colder weather approaching it is important that everyone stays warm and well, this winter.
Vulnerable and older people can find it particularly difficult to get out to the shops or to keep their house adequately heated during the cold weather, putting them at risk. -
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New ambulances, elective hubs, virtual wards and care transfer hubs are amongst the innovative measures in place to ensure patients in Cheshire and Merseyside receive the best possible NHS care this winter. -
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World AIDS Day is a global movement to unite people in the fight against HIV and AIDS, that takes place annual on the 1st December.
In the UK, more than 105,000 people are living with HIV. Globally, an estimated 38 million people live with the virus. -
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Did you know you can choose which hospital you go to when referred for a test, diagnosis, or treatment? Find out how. -
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Diabetes UK estimates that five million people in the UK are living with diabetes, with 850,000 of them not yet diagnosed. -
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With more than thirty recognised symptoms of menopause and growing awareness of the impact on day-to-day life, it can help to know what to look out for and what support is available. -
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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. -
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Did you know Volunteer Responders can help you access support and services such as collecting prescriptions and shopping delivery? -
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Lydia Hughes has been appointed as the new Chair of Healthwatch Halton, the independent patient champion for people who use health and social care. -
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Warm Welcome Spaces are opening their doors to local communities, offering everyone a free, warm, welcoming and friendly space.
Venues in both Widnes and Runcorn have warm, welcoming spaces open to everyone. -
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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. -
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The Specialised Respiratory Clinical Reference Group need a Patient and Public Voice (PPV) Partner to join their Specialised Respiratory Clinical Reference Group. NHS England is committed to ensuring that public and patient voices are at the centre of shaping healthcare services. Every level of the NHS commissioning system needs to be informed by insight from those who use and care about our services. -
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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. -
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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.
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Halton SEND Parent Carers Forum (HSPCF) and Healthwatch Halton are working together on a project, looking at the eligibility for 14+ annual health checks in Halton.
Currently, to be eligible for a 14+ annual health check, is that you must have a learning disability. This means many individuals with special educational needs and or disabilities (SEND), without having a learning disability are not entitled to a 14+ annual health check. -
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The Patients Association and Roche Diagnostics UK are embarking on a new project that will give patients the chance to share their understanding and experience of diagnostics in the NHS - and have their say on how access to testing could be improved.
Diagnostics are tests or procedures that can be used to help healthcare professionals determine the condition or illness a person has and/or the type of treatment and care they need.
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The Healthwatch Halton office is closing today and will re-open on Tuesday 2 January 2024. Wishing you a happy Christmas.
