News and reports

We are pleased to share an update from our latest Primary Care Patient Participation Group (PPG) Forum — an important space where PPG members from across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough come together to share experiences, strengthen relationships with GP practices, and influence improvements in primary care.

Our PPG Forums are held seven times a year: three for the North Place (Peterborough, Fenlands, Huntingdonshire), three for the South Place (Cambridge, South Cambs and Ely), and one countywide combined forum that brings everyone together. This structure ensures that local issues can be explored in depth while also creating opportunities for shared learning across the whole area.

Our most recent combined forum brought together representatives from 14 GP surgeries, alongside members of the Cambridge City Primary Care Network and the Cambridgeshire South Care Partnership team. Through a series of workshops and discussions, participants explored what has been working well within their PPGs, how to reach a broader and more diverse patient voice, and how to build stronger relationships with practice staff.

The conversations were rich and insightful. Groups shared examples of successful initiatives — from helping at vaccine clinics and running health education events, to training patients in using the NHS App and supporting practice open days. Many PPGs have been strengthening their role as a bridge between patients and practices, offering feedback, supporting communication, and getting more involved in community activities.

Participants also highlighted ongoing challenges across primary care, including concerns about practice capacity, the impact of new housing developments, the future of patient engagement, and the need for clearer communication about how Primary Care Networks operate.

These forums continue to demonstrate the real value of bringing PPG members together: sharing practical ideas, supporting one another, and ensuring patient perspectives are heard at every level of the health and care system.

We are grateful to everyone who took part and look forward to continuing these important conversations at our next North and South Place sessions.

Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has published a new report highlighting the challenges young people face when trying to access mental health support and the experience of moving between services.

The survey heard from 125 young people aged 17–25, along with a small number of parents and carers responding on their behalf. Young people shared honest, first-hand experiences of trying to get help, managing long waits, receiving support from youth services, and what happened when care stopped or transitioned to adult services.

The results show that mental health services are making a real difference when young people are able to access them — but long waiting lists, inconsistent communication, and poor transitions continue to cause harm.

Chief Executive of Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Jess Slater, said:

“Behind every statistic is a young person whose life has been put on hold. Long waits, abrupt endings, and confusing transitions are leaving too many young people without the support they need. We are calling for clearer communication, faster access, and better coordination between services. Young people told us exactly what needs to change, and their voices must now be acted on.”

The report includes recommendations for NHS providers, commissioners, councils, schools, and voluntary sector organisations.

By sharing these findings with local decision-makers, Healthwatch aims to help ensure that young people’s experiences shape real improvements across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

You can read the full report and recommendations here.

Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough held its Annual Summit on 8th October 2025 at the Delta Marriott Hotel in Huntingdon. The event welcomed over 200 people, bringing together members of the public, patients, and leaders across health and care. The day provided an opportunity to share experiences, celebrate local achievements, and discuss priorities for improving services across the region. Participants heard from retired Olympic Gymnast Louis Smith MBE, key speakers, took part in breakout sessions, and explored how partnership working can strengthen the voice of local people. The summit highlighted the importance of collaboration in shaping a more responsive and inclusive health and care system.

We introduce our report on the day along with the slide presentations and notes from the breakout sessions.

Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s latest Enter and View report highlights overwhelmingly positive experiences from patients using the new Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) in Ely and Wisbech. The visits, carried out in August 2025, found that people valued shorter waiting times, modern facilities, and kind, attentive staff. However, the report also identifies opportunities to improve accessibility and communication, particularly around appointment locations, transport, and patient information, as lessons are shared to inform the development of the forthcoming Peterborough CDC.

A round-up of discussion and action points from our recent Peterborough Health and Care Forum held on Thursday 24th July 2025 at The Fleet Community Centre in Fletton. If you missed this free public event, here’s what was shared.

Would you like to join our next Peterborough Health and Care Forum? It’s on Thursday 23rd October 2025, again at The Fleet Community Centre, Fletton, from 10:00 to 12:30. Everyone is welcome – just turn up! Refreshments available.

People across parts of East Anglia have had their say on the way the NHS uses and shares their personal data, in a new report published by Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and Healthwatch Norfolk.

We’re proud to share our Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Annual Report for 2024–2025.

This year’s report highlights a selection of the real difference your voices have made to health and care services across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. From shaping improvements in mental health support, to making services more accessible for people with additional needs, your feedback has helped drive meaningful change.

We regularly share our feedback reports with health and care leaders across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Each organisation receives detailed reports from the public, helping them understand people’s experiences and use this information to improve services and inform decisions.

A round up of discussion and action points from our recent Peterborough Health and Care Forum held on the 27th March. If you missed this free public event, you can catch up on the details below.

Would you like to join our next Peterborough Health and Care Forum? It's on the 24th July at the Fleet Community Centre, Fletton, from 10am to 12:30pm. Everyone is welcome - just turn up! Refreshments available.

We are pleased to present the findings of our Life Changes Report, commissioned by Cambridgeshire South Care Partnership (CSCP). Building on previous research with Community Researcher Volunteers, this report looks into what support is needed for people going through life changes and will be used to help plan future services in local neighbourhoods.

Our strategy sets out what we think is most important for Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Healthwatch Peterborough to do over the next five years.

We are pleased to present the findings of our Digital Enablers Survey, conducted on behalf of the NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, which captured valuable feedback from the community on the future of digital access to health and care services.

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and ideas. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping how digital tools can better support people across our area. The responses from this survey will help inform the procurement specification, which will guide the next steps in developing a new digital front door.

We appreciate all your contributions.