A new report is out setting out the work of our colleagues across the country.
Healthwatch England’s 2022-23 annual report sets out the importance of hearing the voices of patients and the experiences they face which varied considerably, and were set against a background of serious challenges for the country’s health and care system.
Healthwatch England’s work in 2022-23
Over 380,000 people shared their experiences with Healthwatch nationally and locally. In doing so, they helped us make a real difference. We carried out work that highlighted quality and safety concerns, that tested if new policies are working in practice, and that uncovered hidden problems and emerging trends.
And we highlighted key issues, from the impact of the soaring cost of living on people’s healthcare to the “hidden waiting list” created by delays to GP referrals.
The report also spotlighted the increasing issues people have getting mental health support, contributing to the release of the primary care recovery plan.
NHS England published a plan to improve care for Long Covid after people shared their stories with us.
There were updates to the guidance for GPs on six-week post-natal checks after we revisited the issue of maternal mental health.
After we highlighted the need to increase confidence in the NHS, the NHS ran a campaign around the NHS App and how it can help patients.
Changes to the contract between dentists and the NHS were announced, after our data showed widening inequalities.
What’s next?
We’ve called for decision-makers to focus on:
- Making the NHS easier to access and navigate
- Tackling health inequalities
- Building a patient-centred NHS culture
Read the report
You can read more by downloading the reports below
