1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Data sharing of GP patient records

    News -

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

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. '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.

  12. Public consultation on raising the age for free NHS prescriptions

    News -

    Your views are wanted on Government plans to change the upper age for free NHS prescriptions.

  13. Covid safety measures stay in place at healthcare settings

    News -

    Anyone using or visiting healthcare settings must continue to wear a face covering and stick to social distancing rules.

  14. Your views help make changes across the country

    News -

    The views of Peterborough people have helped make national change to health and care across England.

  15. How online therapy appointments can open treatment to more people

    News -

    Gary Lee, a local NHS therapist, spoke at our 'On equal terms' conference last week and shared how online therapy appointments were opening up treatment to people who would not have been able to access it before.

  16. Making services work better by involving the people who use them - through co-production

    News -

    Services that are developed in partnership with the people who use them work better for everyone. Healthwatch's Graham Lewis was joined by Lois Sidney and Dave Lee of the SUN Network to talk co-production at our 'On Equal Terms' conference last week.

  17. Helping people get online and access services locally

    News -

    Digital exclusion is more complicated than just not having a computer and in this workshop at our recent 'On Equal Terms' conference, we explored what the issues are and some of the work being done locally to tackle it.

  18. Have your say on eligibility for patient transport

    News -

    Your views are wanted in a public consultation on eligibility for non-emergency patient transport services.

  19. New rapid diagnostic service launched for Peterborough people

    News -

    Peterborough City Hospital patients with abnormal test results and those arriving with worrying symptoms suggestive of cancer are being targeted in a new fast-track diagnostic service.

  20. How new Health and Care Experience profiles can help improve care

    News -

    Our Healthwatch was involved in an innovative pilot project to help health and care systems across the country understand how well they are supporting people in their communities who may face more barriers to care.

  21. Have your say on our area's new Autism stategy

    News -

    Your views are wanted on new plans on how to support autistic children, young people and adults in Peterborough over the next five years.

  22. We're back in business – talk to us!

    News -

    Our Engagement team are back to doing what they love best – meeting people in our local communities and listening to their experiences.

  23. Meet our new Chair Stewart Francis

    News -

    Our Healthwatch has appointed a new Chair to succeed Val Moore who is stepping down this month after six years as strategic lead of our organisation.

  24. Are you or your loved one waiting for hospital care? Share you views

    News -

    Millions of people have had their treatment delayed by the pandemic – are you one of them? We want to know if you’re getting the advice, information and support you need while you wait.

  25. Thank you Susan, Nik and Margaret

    News -

    This month we said farewell – and a big thank you – to three of our long-serving Directors.

  26. Tribute to our retiring Chair Val

    News -

    Val Moore, our Chair for the last six years, officially handed in her Healthwatch badge last night.

  27. Tell us your care home experiences

    News -

    The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on care home residents and on their friends and families and staff. Our new survey records your experiences and challenges over the last 12-18 months – and asks what life is like now.

  28. New restrictions recommended in Peterborough schools

    News -

    The Directors of Public Health and of Education in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have recommended that secondary schools reintroduce measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.

  29. Government action demanded on NHS dentistry

    News -

    Your feedback about problems finding an NHS dentist has resulted in a call to the Government for "vital investment" and a national recovery plan about NHS dentistry services.

  30. Remembering Alena

    News -

    The Healthwatch team is deeply saddened to report the passing of Alena Taylor, former Chair of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Physical Disability Partnership Board.

  31. Our Leaving Hospital work is shortlisted for a national award

    News -

    Our Healthwatch has been shortlisted for a national award for our work to improve the way patients are discharged from hospital.

  32. Improving GP websites – our reports spark action

    News -

    Over the last year, we’ve been pressing for improvements to GP websites to make them easier for patients to access and find essential information. And at our November Board Meeting we heard action is being taken by our Clinical Commissioning Group.

  33. Are you able to visit loved ones in local care homes?

    News -

    Limits on visitors at care homes have been lifted in updated Government guidance. But is this making a difference for local families getting to see their loved ones?

  34. Shared Care Record plans to make care more joined up

    News -

    A new Shared Care Record system will be introduced across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough over the next two years. And aims to provide a join up of the different health and care records that are held about you.

  35. Support to help people waiting for hospital care

    News -

    More than eighty-five thousand people are now waiting for hospital care in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Although this may be just the tip of the iceberg and some are ‘missing’ from this count as they’ve not come forward for treatment.

  36. Meet our new Directors

    News -

    Three new Directors have joined the Healthwatch Board. And Associate Director Chelsia Lake also becomes a Director.

  37. Family breakdown rising for parent carers

    News -

    Parent carers across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are under severe strain looking after their children and young people with additional needs and disabilities.

  38. Support to help people at the end of life

    News -

    The new award-winning palliative care hub was top of the agenda at last week's Peterborough Health and Care Forum. We also heard about some of the latest research into improving the quality of life for older people after cancer.

  39. What you've been telling us about local services

    News -

    Care from your GP surgery, difficulties finding an NHS dentist and waits for hospital appointments are amongst the top experiences you've been sharing with us over the last three months.

  40. Your care, your way – Join Healthwatch’s new campaign

    News -

    Clear, understandable information is important to help you make the right health and care decisions. Join our campaign and have your say on what needs to change.

  41. Directors hear update on NHS dentistry problems

    News -

    Continuing NHS dentistry issues, the closure of an NHS Patient Helpdesk supporting people waiting for care, and healthcare for Ukrainian refugees in our area were among the topics discussed at our March Board meeting yesterday.

  42. Insights from our new care home report welcomed

    News -

    Our new Life in a care home report, published today, has been welcomed by local councils and our local NHS as "important" and providing "valuable insights".

  43. Laura champions campaign to improve information for disabled people

    News -

    If you have a disability, impairment or sensory loss, the Accessible Information Standard gives you a right to health and care information in the way you need it – as well as communications support at appointments.