News and reports

The Government has opened a consultation on the creation of a new national NHS trust, NHS Online, and local Healthwatch are playing a key role. Our webinar and discussions have already highlighted important issues like patient access, digital inclusion, workforce flexibility, and safe care. Find out how your voice can help shape this new service and see the full themes and responses.

Read all about the project work, activity, impact and engagement of the Healthwatch Team.

People have told us that weight loss drugs are transformative, but that there are problems accessing them on the NHS, especially since they were made available via GPs last June.

One in seven patients who have been referred by their GP are stuck waiting for specialist care due to GP referrals being delayed, lost, or rejected.

When it's hard to find an NHS dentist, many people turn to urgent dental care to treat routine problems.

Read all about the project work, activity, impact and engagement of the Healthwatch Team.

New Countywide Charter Launched on World Homeless Day

Community Health Champions Project Report, a pilot initiative delivered across Herefordshire with the support of the NHS Research Engagement Network.

Life & Health in Herefordshire Gypsy, Roma & Traveller Communities, a report produced through the Core20Plus Connectors Programme.

At Healthwatch Herefordshire, we believe everyone should feel welcome, comfortable, and included when using community spaces. That’s why we’ve launched the Neurodiversity Access Project – a new initiative focused on understanding and improving how local environments work for neurodivergent people.

Neurodivergence includes experiences such as autism, ADHD, and sensory processing differences. Everyday places like shops, GP surgeries, cafés, and leisure centres can sometimes feel overwhelming or difficult to use. We want to work together to change that.

Recent government proposals for the NHS include abolishing Healthwatch across England — removing the independent body that makes sure the public’s views are heard on health and social care.
If this goes ahead, it will be the first time since 1974 that the public will be without an independent champion to speak up for their experiences.

The plans also suggest moving to a digital-first feedback system for NHS and social care services. While technology can make giving feedback easier for some, it risks excluding many communities and silencing those already less heard.
Your voice matters — and it should be heard.

Welcome to this year's Annual Report for 2024-2025 which provides an overview of our work and highlights some of our key projects and the impact of our work over the past year.