1. Healthwatch Board meeting in public - 13 January 2021

    Report -

    Join us online for our next Board meeting in public when we will be formally appointing three new Directors.
    We'll also be discussing our work with children and young people including involving them in developing mental health services.

  2. Stay patient for the vaccine urges CEO Sandie

    News -

    The Covid-19 vaccines are here and rolling out across our area. But please stay patient, our Healthwatch CEO Sandie Smith told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire listeners this week.

  3. Welcome to our new Directors

    News -

    Three new members have been appointed to our Healthwatch Board.

  4. Remembering the HIV and AIDS crisis

    Blog -

    February is the month where the UK celebrates the history of LGBT people and their achievements.
    So, for those who don’t know me, I’m Graham, the Partnership Development Manager here at Healthwatch. I’m also Gay.

  5. NHS under pressure

    News -

    Many NHS staff are about to start their second year on the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic. And lots of local people have told us how hard they are finding the current lockdown.

  6. Making sure you count - the national census is coming

    News -

    The census is coming. By taking part, you can help inform decisions on services that shape your community, such as healthcare, education and transport.

  7. Health and care for the LGBTQ+ community

    Advice and Information -

    This article highlights some of the health issues – and inequalities – facing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or questioning plus (LGBTQ+) community.

  8. Following my dreams - and becoming a mum

    Blog -

    In this personal blog for LGBTQ+ History Month, our Healthwatch CEO, Sandie Smith, reflects on the road to parenthood – and the joy of being a mum.

  9. HIV in 2021 - tackling the stigma

    Blog -

    As part of LGBTQ+ History Month, Sharron Spindler, Chief Executive of local sexual health charity Dhiverse, tells us that modern treatments make HIV a manageable long-term condition. But outdated attitudes and stigma remain a barrier to diagnosis.

  10. The 'road map' out of lockdown - what to expect

    News -

    On Tuesday 22 February, the Prime Minister set the ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown. And from 8 March people will see restrictions start to lift as part of a four step plan.

  11. Healthwatch Board meeting in public - Wednesday 10 March 2021

    Report -

    Join us online for our next Board meeting in public when Directors are being asked to approve our work programme and budget for 2021-22. They are also being asked to green light five new policies - including confidentiality and data protection.

  12. Celebrating NHS staff achievements with HUC

    News -

    Healthwatch Chair Val was delighted to be one of this year's judges at the recent HUC staff awards - celebrating the achievements of staff and teams within our local NHS 111 and out of hours' GP service provider.

  13. Vaccinations for people with learning disabilities

    News -

    People with learning disabilities in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are now getting their Covid-19 vaccinations.

  14. Healthwatch policy - Risk Management

    Report -

    This policy says how we will identify and manage all potential risks. It was approved at our Board's meeting in December 2022.

  15. Report calls for national review of GP services

    News -

    The way we use our GP practices has fundamentally shifted as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

  16. Do you know anyone who could benefit from a GP Access card?

    News -

    Previously known as My Right to Healthcare, GP Access cards allow people who aren't registered with a GP practice, have no fixed address or identification to communicate their right to healthcare.

  17. Helping to tackle vaccine hesitancy

    News -

    Our Engagement Officer Rebwar has been helping to get Covid-19 vaccination, testing and self-isolation information out to different communities in Peterborough and Fenland.

  18. Eight ... and counting

    Blog -

    Our Healthwatch is eight years old this month. Here, CEO Sandie Smith reflects on a unique 12 months. And thanks everyone who has supported us and shared their experiences to help us learn from the pandemic.

  19. Autistic Voices Report captures local people's lived experiences

    Report -

    Autistic Voices, our new report about the health and care experiences of autistic people from Peterborough and Cambridgeshire, is published today.

  20. Autistic Voices report will help shape new autism strategy for our area

    News -

    Our new report highlighting the health and care experiences of autistic people from Peterborough and Cambridgeshire is published today.

  21. Are you on a hospital waiting list?

    News -

    It’s an anxious, unsettling and frustrating time for many local people who are having to wait for non-urgent treatments and procedures as well as appointments and tests.

  22. Healthwatch Board meeting in public - Wednesday 12 May 2021

    Report -

    Log on and watch our next Board meeting in public. We will be talking about dental care and access to dentists across our area. Join us and hear an update from NHS England and NHS Improvement, which plans and pays for dental services.

  23. Making it easier for Deaf people to share their views

    News -

    Today, as part of Deaf Awareness Week, we have launched our new British Sign Language survey to help Deaf people share their views on health and social care services locally.

  24. So proud of what we have achieved together

    Blog -

    Healthwatch has begun its search for a successor to Val Moore – our Chair for the last six years. Val has served two three-year-terms and so she will be stepping down from the post in September.

  25. Why ReSPECT matters in decisions near the end of life

    News -

    The local NHS has responded to a letter from us promising improvements to end of life care for people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

  26. Transforming urgent and emergency care

    Report -

    People across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have given their views in an England-wide consultation looking at new standards to measure the performance of urgent and emergency care.

  27. Helping everyone to Keep on Moving

    News -

    Our new "transport for all" report calls for greater awareness about the needs of older people and people with disabilities to Keep on Moving.

  28. Keep on Moving: a "transport for all" report

    Report -

    The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Partnership Boards have published a new report highlighting transport issues affecting older people and disabled people across our area.

  29. Healthwatch policy - Grievance Procedure

    Report -

    This procedure provides employees with process where they can raise a concern, problem or complaint (called a grievance in employment law) about their employment with us. It was agreed at our Board's meeting in January 2021.

  30. Healthwatch policy - Pay review

    Report -

    This policy says how we review staff pay to ensure to ensure we retain a skilled and committed workforce. It was agreed at our Board's meeting in January 2021.

  31. A time to say thanks to our Volunteers

    Blog -

    It’s Volunteering Week across the UK. A time to recognise the contribution our Healthwatch volunteers make and the value that they bring to our organisation.

  32. Local people have their say in urgent care standards consultation

    News -

    People across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have given their views about new standards for urgent care in hospitals across England.

  33. Healthwatch conference looks at tackling health inequalities - book now

    News -

    Bookings are now open for 'On equal terms" our Healthwatch Conference and AGM, in July. The spotlight will be on the issue of health inequalities and looking at how people can be better involved in developing services that work well for everyone.

  34. Sandie praises local NHS efforts to takle Covid backlog

    News -

    Healthcare staff across our area have been praised by our CEO Sandie Smith for their hard work in helping to tackle the Covid-caused backlog of patients needing care.

  35. Data sharing of GP patient records

    News -

    National plans to share GP patient records for planning and research have been shelved until 1 September.

  36. Carers' Partnership Board Minutes April 2021 to March 2022

    Report -

    Read the minutes from the meetings of the Carers' Partnership Board from the last year.

  37. Physical Disability Partnership Board Minutes April 2021 to March 2022

    Report -

    Read the minutes from Physical Disability Partnership Board over the last year.

  38. Empowering patients to share decision making on treatment and care

    News -

    Our Healthwatch has helped shape new recommendations aimed at putting people at the centre of decisions about their treatment and care.

  39. On equal terms - our Annual Report 2020-21

    Report -

    It's been an extraordinary year. And our Annual Report highlights how local health inequalities have been amplified by Covid-19 — and will continue to steer our work in the 12 months ahead.

  40. Our 2020-2021 Annual Report — out today

    News -

    Our Annual Report for 2020-21 is published today and highlights the work of our Healthwatch through the Covid-19 pandemic and more.

  41. New urgent treatment centre opens its doors to patients

    News -

    Peterborough's Urgent Treatment Centre has a new home at the city hospital site – and is now open for business.

  42. NHS-funded IVF treatment reinstated in our area

    News -

    NHS-funded specialist IVF treatment is to be reinstated in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough after a five year pause.

  43. 'Co-pro' champ Enzo is improving services for all

    News -

    Enzo, from Peterborough, is a long serving member of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Learning Disability Partnership Board.