News and reports

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.

After years of growing pressure on pharmacies — and 46,000 lost pharmacy hours here in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough — we’re pleased to see £617 million in new funding announced today by the Department of Health and Social Care and Community Pharmacy England.

Healthwatch teams in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Norfolk are asking people to share their views on how their data is used and shared by the NHS. Share your views by the 12th May! *Survey now closed*

Healthwatch England are asking about your experience of referral for specialist treatment. Has your GP referred you for an assessment or treatment at a hospital or community clinic? Share your story.

Are you looking for information about vaping? Perhaps you would like to understand more about the risks? We’ve put together a handy guide of local and national resources that offer support - from understanding the triggers to finding help to quit.

This week we are supporting the Share for Better Care campaign. Take three minutes to share your experience of health and social care!

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found improvements are needed following an inspection of the mental health crisis services and health-based places of safety run by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust. As part of the assessment process conducted by the CQC, Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s CEO, Jess Slater, was invited to be interviewed.

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.

Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have published a report into the services provided at the Sue Ryder Hospice, Thorpe Hall, Peterborough.

The visit took place on the 25th November 2024.

The purpose of these visits was to talk to patients and gain a greater understanding of their experiences of the services that the clinics provide, identify what is working well and what improvements could be made.

Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is excited about the government’s latest announcement on hospital development, which includes significant projects for the region. Hinchingbrooke Hospital and the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital have been prioritised under Wave One of the New Hospital Programme, with construction scheduled to begin between 2025 and 2030.

The redevelopment of Hinchingbrooke Hospital will address critical infrastructure needs, enhancing safety and capacity for the local community. Meanwhile, the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, part of the Addenbrooke’s site, will integrate cutting edge research with patient care, offering new hope in the fight against cancer.

The health secretary, also highlighted the urgency of rebuilding the seven RAAC hospitals, which include Hinchingbrooke Hospital, to protect patient safety. These hospitals, alongside other priority projects like the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, will lead the first wave of construction.

Jonathan Jelley, MBE, JP, Acting Chair of Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, expressed his enthusiasm: "We are thrilled to see tangible progress on these hospital projects in our region. These investments reflect a genuine commitment to improving healthcare for our communities. Healthwatch will continue to collaborate with local stakeholders to ensure that these developments meet the needs of our residents."

Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough remains dedicated to monitoring these projects and advocating for transparent communication with the public. We encourage residents to share their views on healthcare services to help shape the future of local health infrastructure.