1. Where can I go for support for my mental health as a parent?

    Advice and Information -

    It's so important that you feel supported as a new parent. Read the article below to find out where you can go to get the help you need.

  2. Someone I love has died - where can I find support

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving.

  3. What is domestic abuse and how can I get support?

    Advice and Information -

    If you are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who might be, find out where you can go for advice and help.

  4. Getting the most out of the virtual health and care experience

    Advice and Information -

    With more and more appointments happening online, we've put together some tips on how to get the most out of the virtual health and care appointments both for patients and health and care professionals.

  5. What should I expect after being referred for mental health support?

    Advice and Information -

    Your mental wellness is as important as your physical health but seeking help can be daunting. Here's what to expect when you seek support for your mental health.

  6. Children's and Young People's Mental Health Report

    Report -

    We consulted with 3898 young people to identify local knowledge gaps and to learn more about young people’s experiences of using mental health services in Herefordshire. improvement.

  7. Crucial Crew Report

    Report -

    Healthwatch took part in Crucial Crew, a school’s safety day coordinated by the West Mercia Police every year for all year six children in the county.

  8. Men's Health Report

    Report -

    We wished to understand whether there were specific barriers that prevented or put off men from accessing preventative services and men’s ideas about improving access and improving health messaging.

  9. Digital Inclusion in Herefordshire

    Report -

    Healthwatch identified and supported individuals who were digitally deprived and enabled them to access online services, information, and advice to help with their health and wellbeing.

  10. Cost of Living Events in Herefordshire

    News -

    At previous Herefordshire Community Partnership events, the rising cost of living was highlighted as an area that statutory and VCSE partners should pay particular attention to.

  11. Turning Point

    Report -

    As part of our ongoing work with Turning Point (Herefordshire's recovery service,) we produced a report gathering feedback from service users and service partners.

  12. Annual Report 2022-23

    Report -

    In 2022-23, we engaged with 1,695 people providing information, advice or gathering views on accessing health and care services.

  13. Hear Our Voices Report

    Report -

    Together with Mencap, Healthwatch Herefordshire identified a need for those with a learning disability to have a bigger say in what matters to them. We also identified a need for the development of a larger pool of people with learning disabilities for services to consult with.

  14. Living with ADHD in Herefordshire

    Report -

    ADHD is a disorder that is defined through analysis of behaviour. People with ADHD show a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with day-to-day functioning and/or development.

    We spoke to 18 individuals about their ADHD journey and 5 parents about their child's ADHD journey, looking at the wider impacts it has had on the individuals and their family.

  15. Healthwatch Herefordshire shortlisted for national award

    News -

    The team at Healthwatch Herefordshire have been shortlisted for a national award. The National Healthwatch Impact Award recognises outstanding examples of where the views of local people have been used to make positive changes to local NHS and social care services.

  16. Have your say on the Adult Mental Health Inpatient and Rehabilitation Pathway

    News -

    Herefordshire and Worcestershire's Health and Care NHS Trust are inviting people with an interest in Adult Mental Health Inpatient and Rehabilitation Services within Herefordshire or Worcestershire to attend an event to discuss the pathway.

  17. Share your feedback to improve care in your community

    News -

    ‘Share for Better Care’, a new campaign launched by Healthwatch to help address health inequalities across England.

  18. Drop into the Talk Wellbeing Maylord Orchards Centre

    News -

    The new Talk Wellbeing Maylord Orchards Centre is offering booked and drop-in health checks in the centre of Hereford. Throughout the week, there will also be an array of local services offering advice and support to residents.

  19. Managing Long Term Health Conditions

    News -

    Living with a long term health condition can be difficult to manage in the community. If this is you, Healthwatch Herefordshire wants to hear from you. Share your experiences with us, what helps you the most and which services you would like to see available in your community.

  20. Responding to the NHS Constitution Consultation

    News -

    The Government has launched a consultation on the NHS Constitution, which sets out your rights as an NHS patient. Read why it's important to have your say.

  21. Annual Report 2023-24

    Report -

    Welcome to this year's Annual Report for 2023-2024 which provides an overview of our work and highlights some of our key projects and the impact of our work over the past year.

  22. Hear Our Voices Event May 2024

    Report -

    Hear Our Voices is a way for people with a learning disability and their supporters to get together in a relaxed environment. These events bring together people who like speaking up and explore ways that they can make a difference and help build confidence, connections and skills.

  23. Quarterly Report (April - June 2024)

    Report -

    Read all about the project work, activity, impact and engagement of the Healthwatch Team.

  24. Community Led Engagement & Research Project Report

    Report -

    Healthwatch engaged Herefordshire communities to raise awareness of health and social care research and promote how people can get involved.

  25. Behind the Care, Exploring the Lived Experience of Carers in Herefordshire Report

    Report -

    An increase in feedback to Healthwatch Herefordshire about the realities of being a carer in Herefordshire led us to conduct some research into the lives of carers.

  26. Proactive Care Project Report

    Report -

    Healthwatch engaged with communities to understand what community-based provision or activities do, or would, support them to manage their long-term health conditions and frailty (in particular Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Heart Failure and Respiratory conditions).

  27. How to access mental health support if you're lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender

    Advice and Information -

    If you are struggling, feel alone or need a little help, then check out our guide on how you can get the support you need.

  28. Does the NHS have to provide an interpreter?

    Advice and Information -

    Do you know about your rights to language support in NHS settings?

  29. Increasing Diversity

    Report -

    Healthwatch Herefordshire’s Diversity and Inclusion policy aspires to meet and exceed the requirements of the Equalities Act 2010. We carried out work to identify ways in which we could do this.

  30. Reasonable Adjustments Report

    Report -

    We engaged with local service users, services, employees, and employers to understand their experiences of asking for or providing reasonable adjustments in Herefordshire.

  31. Your Care your Way Campaign

    News -

    Healthwatch England has launched its Your Care Your Way campaign to encourage NHS health and care service to provide communication needs are met.

  32. Success at Recovery Street Film

    News -

    Three films that Healthwatch made with Herefordshire Recovery Service (Turning Point) were shortlisted at the national Recovery Street Film Festival.

  33. Lights, Camera, Action for ECHO

    News -

    In December, Healthwatch worked with members of ECHO's Rep Group to provide two videos.

  34. Reasonable Adjustments - Hidden Disabilities

    Report -

    Healthwatch created reasonable adjustment guidance for Hidden Disabilities.
    Guidance sheets include those for: cancer, dyslexia, diabetes, asthma, back impairment, allergies, epilepsy, agrophobia, heart impairment, fibromyalgia, HIV/Aids, M.E. and chronic fatigue, repetitive strain injury, migraines, sickle cell and raynaud's phenonomen.

  35. Reasonable Adjustments - Blind or sight impaired

    Report -

    Healthwatch have created reasonable adjustment guidance for the blind or sight impaired.

  36. Reasonable Adjustments - Carers

    Report -

    Healthwatch have created reasonable adjustment guidance for those who are in a caring role.

  37. Reasonable Adjustments - Deaf and Hearing Impaired

    Report -

    Healthwatch have created reasonable adjustment guidance for the deaf or hearing impaired.

  38. Reasonable Adjustments - Learning Disability

    Report -

    Healthwatch have created reasonable adjustment guidance for those with a learning disability.

  39. Looking after your health during the Cost of Living crisis.

    News -

    The continuing cost of living crisis is adversely affecting people's physical and mental wellbeing, with vulnerable people and those on lower incomes hit the hardest.

  40. What help can you get to pay for your prescriptions?

    Advice and Information -

    The cost-of-living crisis is putting many people under financial strain, and prescription costs are more than some people can afford to pay. Find out what help is available to help you cover the cost of your medication.

  41. Reasonable Adjustments - Brain Injury

    Report -

    Healthwatch has created reasonable adjustment guidance for those with a brain injury.

  42. Reasonable Adjustments - Physical Disability

    Report -

    Healthwatch created reasonable adjustment guidance for those with physical disabilities. This includes guidance for cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, spinal cord injury, musculoskeletal injuries, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, disfigurement, mobility impairment and obesity.

  43. Healthwatch works with Mencap to launch Hear Our Voices

    News -

    Along with Herefordshire Mencap, Healthwatch Herefordshire identified a need for those with a learning disability to have a bigger say in what matters to them. We also identified a need for the development of a larger pool of people with learning disabilities for services to consult with.

  44. Quarterly Report - Oct - Dec '23

    Report -

    Our quarter 3 Quarterly Report spans Oct - Dec'23.

  45. Healthwatch works with Ukrainian Support Group

    News -

    Over recent months, Healthwatch Engagement Officer Mary Simpson has been engaging with Ukrainians and their host families to explain Healthwatch's role and to listen to their experiences of health and care services.

  46. Up to 1.5 million disabled people could be missing out on social care support

    News -

    A poll of 1,504 working-age disabled adults found that 28% have never accessed social care or other support despite potentially being eligible. We call for a fully funded, long-term plan to reform social care.

  47. Four challenges people face living with learning disabilities

    News -

    In the UK, approximately 1.5 million people have a learning disability. Many people with learning disabilities find it difficult to learn, develop new skills, understand information and interact with other people. Therefore, accessing the support they need to live as independently as possible is crucial.

  48. The Accessible Information Standard - What you can expect from services

    Advice and Information -

    The Accessible Information Standard is mandatory for all organisations that provide National Health Service (NHS) or adult social care.