News and reports

Living with chronic pain can limit your ability to live and work, yet it is a reality for millions of people in England. Healthwatch England highlights the problems people are facing and what services can do to better support people living with chronic pain.

More than half a million people in England are now living with dementia diagnosis. New technology, such as MinderCare, helps people stay safe at home, avoid unnecessary hospital visits, and gives families reassurance.

Join our Healthwatch Brent team! We have a new open position for a Communications and Engagement Officer Role. Application deadline is Sunday 12 noon, 7 September 2025.

What are the rights of refugees and asylum seekers when it comes to accessing healthcare in the UK? Find out more below.

Nearly 400,000 people have used a new prescription tracking feature in the NHS App in the first ten weeks since its launch, helping reduce unnecessary calls and visits to pharmacies.

Healthwatch England published new research showing that there are significant gaps between the choices patients want when booking a GP appointment and the ones they are offered. But what choices should you get at your GP practice?

131 local Healthwatch services- including Healthwatch Kensington and Chelsea- have signed an open letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, regarding the future of Healthwatch

The Boards of North West and North Central London Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) have this week individually approved moving to a full integrated merger. Find out more.

Kensington and Chelsea’s Adult Social Care has been rated Outstanding. A huge achievement made possible by residents’ feedback and experiences. This makes the Council one of only two local authorities in the country to receive an Outstanding rating for both adults and children’s services.

Resident doctors are taking industrial action from 7am on Friday 25 July until 7am on Wednesday 30 July 2025. Read more about this.

Read Healthwatch England’s response to the GP Patient Survey 2025. It highlights the improvements to how are accessing care from their GP, pharmacy, dentistry and other primary care teams.

NHS England is rolling out a new, life-saving cancer test you can now take on your local high street. The ‘sponge-on-a-string’ test is quick, simple, and helps spot early signs of oesophageal cancer without needing to visit a hospital. That means easier access, faster answers, and better care for you.