1. Registering with your GP: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    People have told us they can have problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are 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. Getting the most out of the virtual health and care experience

    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. Our work proves key to Herefordshire's GP Enhanced Access Service

    News -

    Healthwatch's report was instrumental to the development of the new specification of a GP Enhanced Access Service in Herefordshire.

  5. Herefordshire General Practice - Enhanced Access

    Report -

    Alongside Taurus Healthcare, we wanted to understand how an enhanced access service for general practice could offer even more flexibility and availability for appointments both in and out of GP hours.

  6. Our Annual Report 2021-2022

    Report -

    We published 4 reports about the improvements people would like to see to health and social care services, set up the Herefordshire Community Partnership, gained a reach of 252,900 across social media channels, and provided 188 people with information and advice.

  7. Read our Report on GP Enhanced Access

    News -

    For many patients, finding the time to see a GP for routine matters can be a challenge. At its worst, this could have a significant impact on people who may be tempted to ignore a health issue. 

  8. Andy Watts joins Healthwatch Herefordshire as new Chair

    News -

    We are delighted to welcome our new Chair, Andy Watts to the Healthwatch team. Andy has extensive experience of the local health and care system having worked as a GP at Sarum House Surgery and Hereford Medical Group and in other clinical roles at Hereford County Hospital.

  9. Health checks and Covid vaccinations for those with a learning disability

    News -

    Healthwatch Herefordshire wants to listen to the views of people with a learning disability. We particularly want to understand their views on annual health checks and Covid vaccinations.

  10. 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.

  11. East PCN Patient Survey Report

    Report -

    Healthwatch Herefordshire was asked to evaluate the results from a patient survey that took place during August 2023 within the East Herefordshire PCN.

  12. Learning disability annual health checks and Covid -19 vaccine experiences

    Report -

    Healthwatch Herefordshire carried out this project in partnership with Taurus Healthcare and WBC (Wargrave, Cantilupe and Belmont) and gathered the views and experiences of 40 people with that have experienced annual learning disability health checks and covid vaccines in Herefordshire.

  13. 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.

  14. Drop into the Talk Wellbeing Maylord Orchards Centre

    News -

    The new Talk Wellbeing Maylord Orchards Centre is offering booked and drop-in health checks in the centre of Hereford. Throughout the week, there will also be an array of local services offering advice and support to residents.

  15. Out of Hours Urgent GP Service Change

    News -

    On behalf of Herefordshire General Practice, Taurus Healthcare who are involved in how the Out of Hours Urgent GP Service is delivered, is planning to move the service to a new location this autumn. Healthwatch Herefordshire will be undertaking public consultation to ensure any concerns are addressed.

  16. Managing Long Term Health Conditions

    News -

    Living with a long term health condition can be difficult to manage in the community. If this is you, Healthwatch Herefordshire wants to hear from you. Share your experiences with us, what helps you the most and which services you would like to see available in your community.

  17. Responding to the NHS Constitution Consultation

    News -

    The Government has launched a consultation on the NHS Constitution, which sets out your rights as an NHS patient. Read why it's important to have your say.

  18. Top tips 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.

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

    Advice and Information -

    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.

  20. Does the NHS have to provide an interpreter?

    Advice and Information -

    Do you know about your rights to language support in NHS settings?

  21. Increasing Diversity

    Report -

    Healthwatch Herefordshire’s Diversity and Inclusion policy aspires to meet and exceed the requirements of the Equalities Act 2010. We carried out work to identify ways in which we could do this.

  22. Reasonable Adjustments Report

    Report -

    We engaged with local service users, services, employees, and employers to understand their experiences of asking for or providing reasonable adjustments in Herefordshire.

  23. Your Care your Way Campaign

    News -

    Healthwatch England has launched its Your Care Your Way campaign to encourage NHS health and care service to provide communication needs are met.

  24. Success at Recovery Street Film

    News -

    Three films that Healthwatch made with Herefordshire Recovery Service (Turning Point) were shortlisted at the national Recovery Street Film Festival.

  25. Lights, Camera, Action for ECHO

    News -

    In December, Healthwatch worked with members of ECHO's Rep Group to provide two videos.

  26. Reasonable Adjustments - Hidden Disabilities

    Report -

    Healthwatch created reasonable adjustment guidance for Hidden Disabilities.
    Guidance sheets include those for: cancer, dyslexia, diabetes, asthma, back impairment, allergies, epilepsy, agrophobia, heart impairment, fibromyalgia, HIV/Aids, M.E. and chronic fatigue, repetitive strain injury, migraines, sickle cell and raynaud's phenonomen.

  27. Reasonable Adjustments - Blind or sight impaired

    Report -

    Healthwatch have created reasonable adjustment guidance for the blind or sight impaired.

  28. Reasonable Adjustments - Carers

    Report -

    Healthwatch have created reasonable adjustment guidance for those who are in a caring role.

  29. Reasonable Adjustments - Deaf and Hearing Impaired

    Report -

    Healthwatch have created reasonable adjustment guidance for the deaf or hearing impaired.

  30. Reasonable Adjustments - Learning Disability

    Report -

    Healthwatch have created reasonable adjustment guidance for those with a learning disability.

  31. Cost of Living Events in Herefordshire

    News -

    At previous Herefordshire Community Partnership events, the rising cost of living was highlighted as an area that statutory and VCSE partners should pay particular attention to.

  32. Looking after your health during the Cost of Living crisis.

    News -

    The continuing cost of living crisis is adversely affecting people's physical and mental wellbeing, with vulnerable people and those on lower incomes hit the hardest.

  33. Reasonable Adjustments - Brain Injury

    Report -

    Healthwatch has created reasonable adjustment guidance for those with a brain injury.

  34. Reasonable Adjustments - Physical Disability

    Report -

    Healthwatch created reasonable adjustment guidance for those with physical disabilities. This includes guidance for cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, spinal cord injury, musculoskeletal injuries, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, disfigurement, mobility impairment and obesity.

  35. Healthwatch works with Mencap to launch Hear Our Voices

    News -

    Along with Herefordshire Mencap, Healthwatch Herefordshire identified a need for those with a learning disability to have a bigger say in what matters to them. We also identified a need for the development of a larger pool of people with learning disabilities for services to consult with.

  36. Hear Our Voices Report

    Report -

    Together with Mencap, Healthwatch Herefordshire identified a need for those with a learning disability to have a bigger say in what matters to them. We also identified a need for the development of a larger pool of people with learning disabilities for services to consult with.

  37. Quarterly Report - Oct - Dec '23

    Report -

    Our quarter 3 Quarterly Report spans Oct - Dec'23.

  38. Healthwatch works with Ukrainian Support Group

    News -

    Over recent months, Healthwatch Engagement Officer Mary Simpson has been engaging with Ukrainians and their host families to explain Healthwatch's role and to listen to their experiences of health and care services.

  39. The Accessible Information Standard - What you can expect from services

    Advice and Information -

    The Accessible Information Standard is mandatory for all organisations that provide National Health Service (NHS) or adult social care.