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We are committed to equality, inclusion, and fairness. We are opposed to all forms of racism, discrimination, and prejudice.
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The NHS is currently following a digital first strategy. From GP appointments to physiotherapy, many services are being moved online. Accessing services online is often called ‘digital health’. -
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The theme of this year’s report is ‘Then and Now’. It’s been designed to highlight how our work in 2020-21 has helped local patients, residents, and carers engage with changes to health and social care provision during the pandemic.
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On Saturday 10 July, the Voice Exchange project will be hosting their next virtual drop-in session. This is an open discussion where you can share your thoughts and suggestions about local mental health services in Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea. -
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As the NHS moves more services online, we have been speaking to local patients, residents, and carers about how well digital tools work for them -
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It has now been over a year since the first nationwide lockdown in the UK. While the UK was facing its biggest public health emergency in a generation, established working practices and patient engagement approaches had to be altered and new ideas had to be put in place. With our office closed, and some of our colleagues working virtually from as far away as Greece and Bulgaria, we had to adapt quickly. In this piece, two members of our team reflect on the last year and what they have learnt. -
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On Monday 19th July, the UK Government lifted most COVID-19 restrictions in England. This has been called ‘Freedom Day’ by some people. So, what has changed, and how will this affect hospitals, GP practices, and other health services in Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea? -
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We were delighted to work with the Garway Medical Practice Patient Participation Group (PPG) earlier this month to help Garaway patients to understand the issues surrounding General Practice Data for Planning and Research (GPDPR). -
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For the past 8 months, we have been carrying out public engagement in collaboration with a range of grassroots partnerships to understand how people have been using health services and healthcare support ‘online’. Using health services in this way is becoming known as Digital Healthcare*. -
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In our first ‘in-person’ event after lockdown restrictions eased, we brought together people who receive home care, relatives, unpaid carers, and workers from Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea Councils for a workshop on improving local home care services. -
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Imagine a project that not only facilitates conversation and idea-sharing between Healthwatch branches across the country, it also plays an important part in removing barriers that may prevent engagement work with minority ethnic groups and other minority groups…
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Healthwatch Central West London will collaborate with the North West London Schools Research Network to pilot a new student engagement project in schools across North West London. -
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Our work is focused on giving local people a voice in health and care; however, we also like to share when our work gets mentioned internationally… -
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The vaccine is now being offered to all 12 to 15-year-olds and the NHS will be delivering the vaccination through schools. Schools are contacted with students of this age to arrange a date to vaccinate their students. -
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We’ve been hearing from a number of care home residents in Westminster and RBKC about the difficulties they have when trying to access dental care. This got us thinking about how dental care is managed in care homes. -
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Healthwatch Hillingdon have launched a survey to find out how local people in North West London have found contacting their GP practice online. -
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Alongside this year’s Annual report, we have created an A5 booklet that shares the impact of our work, with a focus on tackling health inequalities and improving local services. -
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Over the past two years, collaborating with local groups has become an essential part of our work through our Small Grants Programme. It enables us to connect with people from a range of minority ethnic backgrounds and minority groups. -
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On Tuesday 7th December, we held our 2021 Annual Meeting.
We brought together over 60 members, volunteers, staff, local colleagues, community partners, and members of the public to showcase our work and plan our priorities for the coming year. -
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We have published a new report, ‘Accessing Healthcare Digitally’. The report sets out the findings from our recent community engagement on the accessibility of digital healthcare tools. It also contains a comprehensive set of recommendations for service providers, designed to ensure that digital healthcare tools become as accessible and user-friendly as possible. -
How we’re collaborating with Imperial College London to raise awareness of local health inequalities
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Last month we were delighted to continue our relationship with Imperial College London by hosting four third-year medical students for a workshop on health inequalities and the work of local Healthwatch.
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From collaborating with local schools to auditing GP websites, discover how Young Healthwatch is exploring and representing the needs of young people in Kensington & Chelsea. -
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Our upcoming projects and priorities for 2024 -
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Are you or your community affected by the new Pharmacy First scheme? How has it impacted your access to care? Do you have any feedback or concerns about the scheme? We want to hear from you! -
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Responding to changes in our local community
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Closure of Qwell mental health service on the 31st March, 2024 -
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Sharing the views of 207 women across North West London
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Did you know, in 2022, the Gambling Commission estimated that around 30,000 (0.9%) of all young people aged 11-16 years were identified as gambling in a harmful way, with a further 2.4% to be at risk of developing harms in the future? -
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Some GP surgeries and pharmacies will be closed over the long weekend - here's where you can find support for your health needs -
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We are looking to collect information about residents’ experiences booking and accessing GP appointments across North West London -
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Pop up hubs – including local libraries situated around the borough – will be transformed into vaccination spots so that residents of all ages can get vaccinated against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) -
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The North West London Networked Data Lab are looking for patients and carers to join their Patient and Carer Advisory Group -
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The NHS national booking system (NBS) is now open for eligible people to book their spring COVID-19 booster for free, from 22 April until 30 June 2024 -
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We engaged with patients and staff at Barlby Surgery to gather feedback on service accessibility and provided recommendations to the GP Practice based on this feedback. -
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We engaged with patients and staff at Golborne Medical Dr Ramasamy & Partners to gather feedback on service accessibility and provided recommendations to the GP Practice based on this feedback. -
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We engaged with patients and staff at Golborne Medical West Ten GP's to gather feedback on service accessibility and provided recommendations to the GP Practice based on this feedback. -
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Senior NHS doctors in England have accepted an improved pay deal from the government after months of striking. Read our response. -
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If English is not your first language, have you used emergency or urgent care services? Did you know that the London Ambulance Service provides language support over the phone and on-scene? -
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If you, your child, your parent or someone you care for are experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency you can now contact your local crisis service by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option -
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Our new data suggests that people are increasingly avoiding booking NHS appointments or taking up prescriptions because of the cost-of-living crisis. Find out more about the support available to help you cover NHS treatment costs -
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This year, Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week is taking place between Monday 29 April to Sunday 5 May 2024, with World Maternal Mental Health Day 2024 on Wednesday 1 May -
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This year, Deaf Awareness Week will take place from the 6th to the 12th of May, with the theme of Celebrating Love and Trust. The aim of the week is to shed light on the challenges that the deaf community face and educate others on how they can support them. -
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We recently hosted a discussion, in partnership with the Advocacy Project, to understand how patients would like to access their GP and allow them to share their experiences. -
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Today marks the launch of Mental Health Awareness Week which is taking place from 13 to 19 May, with the theme of “Movement: Moving more for our mental health” -
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Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving. -
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Every month, we come together with our host organisation The Advocacy Project and Brent Councillor Ketan Sheth to host a topical discussion about building better health equalities. Previous topics have included children and young people's mental health, food inequality and hidden addictions.