1. Lack of NHS dental appointments widens health inequalities

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    A new survey of public attitudes to NHS dentistry shows that half of the adults in England find dental charges unfair amid escalating living costs. Healthwatch has warned decision-makers that NHS dentistry is in desperate need of reform.

  2. Have your say on local services at Healthwatch's Annual Health and Care Summit

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    Championing Access - this year the spotlight is on equal access to health and care services. And on the big changes to how NHS and care services are working.

  3. Call for Deaf volunteers to help improve adult social care

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    Join the Sensory Impairment Partnership Board and help improve health and social care services for people with sensory impairments.

  4. Access to healthcare remains a big issue for people locally

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    GP care, difficulties finding an NHS dentist and hospital outpatient appointments are the top three topics that people talked to us about last month.

  5. Taking your views to the heart of decision making

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    The introduction of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System from 1 July gives us a unique chance to feed people’s views into the planning and running of services – especially the voices of those who are not being heard now.

  6. Championing what matters to you

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    It has been another extraordinary year as Covid-19 has continued to affect everyone’s lives. Our Annual report tells some of our stories from the last twelve months and the difference you’ve made by sharing your experiences of care.

  7. There's never been a more important time for Healthwatch

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    More than 100 people joined us for our Championing Access Health and Care Summit in Peterborough earlier this month, just one week into the life of the new NHS structure.

  8. NHS acts on your feedback to improve dental care

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    Thanks to you, NHS England will take steps to make sure there is better dental support for people with complex problems and improve the information for those trying to find an NHS dentist.

  9. Disabled people report being blocked from NHS care due to poor communications

    News -

    One in four disabled people reported being actively refused communication support in a national deep-dive analysis of people's experiences of getting information in the way they need it.

  10. Are you or your loved one waiting to get a GP referral? Share your views

    News -

    Have you or your loved one struggled to get a GP referral for tests or treatment?

  11. We are deeply saddened at the death of Her Majesty The Queen

    News -

    Our Healthwatch joins with the nation in mourning the death of her Majesty the Queen.

  12. Care this Bank Holiday Weekend

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    Some routine appointments are being postponed this Bank Holiday Monday due to the funeral of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - but you will be contacted in advance if your care is going to be affected.

  13. Healthwatch puts out call for new Non-Executive Directors

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    We are looking for local people to join our Board to help ensure that we are well run and meet our statutory duties as a local Healthwatch. 

  14. Local health and care champion seeks new leader

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    We are on the hunt for a new CEO after our leader, Sandie Smith, announced she will be stepping down in March 2023, after ten years at the helm.

  15. Tell us your story of maternal mental health care

    News -

    Pregnancy is a major life event for any family. It can be joyful and fulfilling but also challenging. We’re supporting a national survey to understand how well care works for new mothers and birthing parents. Share your story

  16. How your feedback is helping to improve end of life care

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    Thanks to the feedback you shared, NHS and care services have worked hard to improve the support people and their families get near the end of life.

  17. Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough announces new CEO

    News -

    We are delighted to announce the appointment of Julian Stanley as CEO of Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Julian will succeed Sandie Smith, who is set to retire in March 2023 after ten years in the role.

  18. Frances Dewhurst and Ann Green join Board as Non-Executive Directors

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    We’re delighted that our Healthwatch Board continues to develop and grow and we recently welcomed two new members; Frances Dewhurst and Ann Green.

  19. Accessible Information Standard – a push for progress

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    Healthwatch England is urging NHS England to make progress in its review of the Accessible Information Standard and ensure that all Trusts across the country comply with its legally-binding requirements.

  20. Celebrating ten years of people speaking up to make care better

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    As we mark our 10th anniversary, Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is highlighting the difference the public have made to improve NHS and social care services.

  21. Healthwatch Chair receives Lifetime Achievement Award

    News -

    Stewart Francis, Chair of Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, has been honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Peterborough City Council for his services to Health, Transport, Broadcasting and Culture.

  22. Concerns raised about NHS dental treatment availability

    News -

    Consistently, dentistry is the second most common subject we hear enquiries about, behind GP services.

  23. Three new hospitals for Huntingdon, Cambridge and Kings Lynn

    News -

    Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon is set to be redeveloped as part of the government’s New Hospitals Programme.

  24. Celebrating our Healthwatch volunteers

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    To mark national Volunteers’ Week and celebrate the enormous contribution our own volunteers make to the work of Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, we invited them to join us for a well-earned cuppa and slice of cake on Monday 5 June.

  25. Healthwatch continues to push for transport improvements for patients

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    At Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, we recognise the important role that reliable and effective transport systems play in ensuring people can access the health and care services they rely on.

  26. Campaign to improve accessible information about healthcare continues

    News -

    Blind and partially sighted people have a legal right to NHS and social care information which they can read and understand.

  27. Healthwatch recruiting Community Researcher volunteers for new projects

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    Recruitment of Healthwatch Community Researchers volunteers is under way to help us conduct projects and speak to local people about their experiences...and we are looking for more to join us in St Neots, St Ives and Peterborough.

  28. Six-week postnatal checks are failing many new mothers

    News -

    Deep-dive analysis of experiences of 2,693 new mothers and birthing parents shows that six-week postnatal checks – required of GPs in England - are failing many new mothers.

  29. Your health and social care champion

    News -

    Our Annual Report 2022-23 highlights the work of Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough during the last twelve months and the vital role you play in helping us make an impact.

  30. Our CEO Julian Stanley joins radio discussion around mental health services

    News -

    Our CEO Julian Stanley appeared on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire on Friday 21 July 2023 to speak about issues around the transition from Child to Adult Mental Health Services.

  31. Our CEO Julian Stanley joins radio discussion around hospitals in Cambridgeshire running permanently at over 90% bed occupancy

    News -

    Our CEO Julian Stanley appeared on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire on Thursday 14 September 2023 to speak about issues around the three main general hospitals in Cambridgeshire that are permanently running at over 90% bed occupancy. There no longer appears to be any time in the year when our hospitals are less busy and there are no signs of this reducing anytime soon.

  32. Healthwatch Summit shines light on challenges facing Adult Social Care

    News -

    At our recent Healthwatch Summit – Adult Social Care: Meeting the challenges, we welcomed a wide range of local health professionals and service users who shared their experiences.

  33. The Integrated Care System – One year on

    News -

    In this article, we explain the role of Integrated Care Boards and Integrated Care Systems, identify their different roles, and look at how Healthwatch works with them.

  34. Our CEO Julian Stanley Discusses £2 Million Funding Boost for Drug and Alcohol Misuse in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

    News -

    In a recent interview on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, our CEO, Julian Stanley, addressed the pressing issue of drug and alcohol misuse in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The conversation delved into the complexities of addiction and the impact it has on individuals and the community.

  35. Cambridge University Hospitals sets up helpline for patients following data breach

    News -

    Cambridge University Hospital (CUH) has issued an apology to its patients following two data breaches resulting from Freedom of Information responses made in 2020 and 2021, one relating to maternity patients, and one relating to cancer patients. In total, 22,446 patients have been affected.

  36. Local Healthwatch seeks new visionary leader

    News -

    Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, your local health and social care champion, is seeking a new CEO.

  37. Plans being developed to provide for patients after West Cambs Federation ceases trading

    News -

    Efforts are underway to support patients who have been affected by West Cambs Federation ceasing trading.

  38. Peterborough has been ranked as the least healthy place in Britain

    News -

    Peterborough has been ranked as the least healthy place in Britain, coming in at 307th in health statistics for its population. Stewart Francis, our Chair of Healthwatch Peterborough, is calling for increased investment in the city's healthcare system in response to the survey.

  39. Local Healthwatch shortlisted for national award for outstanding work to improve care using your feedback

    News -

    The team at Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have been shortlisted for a national Impact Award for our work in delivering a Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller cultural awareness programme. This was provided to more than 400 colleagues working in the local Integrated Care System (ICS), along with the rollout of an extensive community engagement plan, to tackle the health inequalities experienced by these communities.

  40. Single use vapes to be banned in the UK as youth vaping rises

    News -

    In a bid to address the concerning surge in youth vaping and safeguard children's health, the UK government has declared a ban on disposable vapes. This move was announced by the Prime Minister during a school visit on 29th January, marking a significant step in the government's response to the rising trend of smoking and vaping among young people.

  41. Local Health and Care Forum welcomes Chair of Healthwatch England

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    Our Fenland & East Cambridgeshire Health and Care Forum welcomed a special guest on 8th February, as the Chair of Healthwatch England, Professor David Croisdale-Appleby, attended.

  42. Have your say on creating Healthy Places

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    Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council’s joint public health team is inviting residents to have their say on how new and existing communities can be healthy, supportive and inclusive.

  43. Jess Slater announced as new CEO of Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

    News -

    Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are delighted to announce the appointment of Jess Slater as our new CEO. Jess will officially take up her new role on Monday 13th May.

  44. Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough project receives national award for improving care

    News -

    Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough were recognised at the National Healthwatch Impact Awards this week for helping to improve care for local people.