Peterborough Health and Care Forum - What You Missed

Report - 30 July 2025

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.

Attendance

We had a great turnout, with attendees including:

  • Members of the public
  • Patient Participation Group (PPG) representatives
  • Local professionals and voluntary sector organisations

Organisations represented: North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust (NWAFT), Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT), National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and more.

Key Updates & Presentations

What’s New at Our Hospitals – Jessica Brocklehurst (NWAFT)

Jessica Brocklehurst, Deputy Director of Strategy and Innovation, shared updates on:

  • The new NWAFT clinical strategy and 10-year plan
  • Progress on the Hinchingbrooke Hospital development
  • The new Peterborough Community Diagnostic Centre

These changes aim to improve local access to care and hospital services.

Butterfly Volunteer Service – CPFT

We heard from the Butterfly Volunteer team at CPFT about the vital work they do supporting patients at the end of life in their own homes. Volunteers provide compassionate care and emotional support for individuals and their families.

Local Research Opportunities – NIHR

The National Institute for Health and Care Research team gave an overview of current health research taking place across:

  • GP surgeries
  • Care homes
  • Local schools in Peterborough

Even if your own GP practice isn’t involved, you can still take part in many of these studies.

Action: Promote public involvement in local research opportunities.

Patient Participation Group Feedback

We listened to feedback from local PPG representatives.
Healthwatch continues to support these groups by:

  • Hosting PPG learning seminars in the north and south of the area
  • Encouraging good practice sharing and peer learning

Get Involved

The Peterborough Health and Care Forum is open to everyone. Come along to hear updates, raise issues, and have your say on local services.

Interested in joining our next Forum? 

Join us on the 23rd October at the Fleet Community Centre, Fletton. 10am - 12:30pm.

It's open to the public - just turn up! Refreshments available.

Find out more

You might also be interested in

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.

Accessing Healthcare Online Report

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.
Find out more

Youth Vaping Under the Spotlight: New Report Reveals Alarming Trends and Calls for Action

Youthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, has released its 2024 Vaping Report, highlighting critical insights into vaping trends among young people. This research reflects the perspectives, behaviours, and concerns of local youth, providing a understanding of the growing prevalence of vaping in the region.

The report is the result of engagement, including surveys and focus groups conducted with young people aged 11-25. It uncovers key findings, such as the fact that 66% of young people had their first vaping experience between ages 13-16, with single-use vapes being the most popular choice. Alarmingly, 92% of respondents believe vaping is harmful to health, and 93% recognise its environmental impact, particularly the challenges of recycling disposable vapes.

Youthwatch members have also issued strong recommendations, including introducing early preventative education, enhancing recycling awareness, and providing targeted cessation support for young people already vaping. The report emphasises the role of peer pressure, social trends, and stress relief as significant motivators for vaping.

This report sheds light on a pressing public health issue, empowering local authorities, schools, and health services to take informed action and support the well-being of young people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Find out more