1. Creative resilience workshops for young Londoners

    News -

    Join a series of online workshops facilitated by The Fandangoe Kid, a Hackney-based print artist, to explore challenges and issues facing young people. The workshops will experiment with typography, layouts and graphic elements, alongside mixed media and collage, to make bold and engaging statements, to gather a collective voice in response to essential questions concerning young people. Full details, schedule and registration via Thrive LDN’s website.

  2. Homecare: helping our local councils to understand what needs to change…

    News -

    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.

  3. Listening to what’s important to young care leavers

    News -

    Following an email exchange with the group lead, our Youth Engagement Manager, Alex, attended Westminster Council’s ‘Tuesday Group’ in March to run an engagement workshop that would start discussions with young care leavers.

  4. Community events to mark the five year anniversary of the Grenfell Tower Fire

    News -

    Today marks the five year anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire. This is an important day for our community and many local groups have organised events of commemoration and remembrance.

  5. We are what we eat: Transforming food aid in Kensington & Chelsea

    Report -

    Healthwatch Westminster and RBKC leads have completed a report on the importance of our local food aid resources and the residents they serve.

  6. Our Enter & View Policy

    Report -

    The purpose of this policy is to provide good practice guidance on Enter and View visits to ensure they are carried out in an effective, accountable and transparent manner

  7. Co-producing change: the mental health needs and experiences of young people in the bi-borough

    Blog -

    Our recent co-production event brought together representatives from local authorities, mental health professionals, and young service users to discuss the findings from our recent report, 'Don't presume we are fine just because we look OK.'

  8. Quality and Equality in North West London Maternity Services

    Report -

    Sharing the views of 207 women across North West London

  9. Kensington & Chelsea council takes aim against low MMR vaccination rates

    Advice and Information -

    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)

  10. Industrial Action: NHS senior doctors and the government reach a pay deal

    News -

    Senior NHS doctors in England have accepted an improved pay deal from the government after months of striking. Read our response.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. Audit of GP Websites: West London CCG

    Report -

    We received patients feedback that some GP practice websites are difficult to navigate or it is hard to find the right information. Many of them are clutered with pop ups and the CQC ratings are not clearly displayed or are not up to date.

  15. Call NHS 111 before turning up to your local A&E

    News -

    The pre-booking process, using the NHS’s triage line, will allow A&E departments to be managed more efficiently and reduce waiting times. The NHS is to pilot a “call first” model of Accident & Emergency which could be rolled out across the country, health chiefs have said, as reported in The Telegraph.

  16. How do you feel about visiting GP surgeries, as lockdown eases?

    News -

    The Patients Association is currently carrying out a survey to find out how patients feel about visiting GP surgeries as lockdown eases.

  17. Have your say about contacting your GP practice online

    News -

    Healthwatch Hillingdon have launched a survey to find out how local people in North West London have found contacting their GP practice online.

  18. The connection between young people and local GP practices: Young Healthwatch volunteers investigate…

    News -

    Findings from our young people’s survey highlight a distinct lack of connection between young people and their GP practices (Primary Care) in a time when they need it more than ever.

  19. How to access NHS services during the Festive Period

    Advice and Information -

    Some of your usual NHS services will be closed or running reduced hours during the festive season

  20. Six-week postnatal check for new mums - FAQs

    Advice and Information -

    Everything you need to know about the six-week postnatal check for new mothers and birthing parents

  21. Changes to NHS NWL complaints policy

    News -

    From 1 July, the NHS complaints procedure is changing - here’s what residents of Kensington and Chelsea need to know

  22. Improving access to GP services across North West London

    News -

    We are looking to collect information about residents’ experiences booking and accessing GP appointments across North West London

  23. Enter & View Report: Barlby Surgery

    Report -

    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.

  24. Enter & View Report: Golborne Medical Dr Ramasamy & Partners

    Report -

    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.

  25. Enter & View Report: Golborne Medical West Ten GP's

    Report -

    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.

  26. GP Access in North West London: Health Inequalities Lecture

    News -

    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.

  27. 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.

  28. Someone I love has died - where can I find support

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving.

  29. What to expect when waiting for care

    Advice and Information -

    Waiting for planned medical care or surgery can be a frustrating time. That’s why it’s so important that while you wait, you get regular, clear and accessible updates so that you can plan your next steps.

  30. PPGs are responding to Coronavirus outbreak

    News -

    During the Coronavirus outbreak, many PPGs suspended their activities allowing practice staff to focus on health emergency. However, most proactive PPGs continued working and were creative in their approach.

  31. What have we learnt from our recent COVID-19 engagement work with LEGS?

    News -

    We have published a COVID-19 insight report in collaboration with LEGS. The report highlights the impact of COVID-19 on those who have had a stroke or who are living with a neurological condition.

  32. How we adapted to the pandemic: reflections from two members of our team

    News -

    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.

  33. What does the lifting of most restrictions mean for local health services?

    News -

    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?

  34. Vaccination: now offered to 12-15 year olds in schools

    News -

    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.

  35. An update on COVID-19 vaccinations for children

    News -

    The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. It gives you the best protection against COVID-19. Although COVID-19 is often mild in children, it can make some children unwell.

  36. Covid-19 booster jab to be offered to most vulnerable this spring

    News -

    A booster jab is to be offered this spring to those most at risk becoming serious ill from Covid-19.

  37. NHS launches seasonal COVID-19 vaccination programme this month

    News -

    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