1. Registering with your GP: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    People have told us they can have problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register.

  2. Where can I go to get help for my health out of hours?

    Advice and Information -

    Health issues unfortunately don't leave us alone at the weekend and people are often in need of medical assistance out of hours. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.

  3. What should you expect when it comes to care for your teeth?

    Advice and Information -

    Four questions staff should ask you or a loved one about your oral health if you’re a care home resident, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence quick guide.

  4. 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.

  5. Do you need help travelling to NHS services?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. What support can I get as a carer?

    Advice and Information -

    Many people who provide unpaid care are unaware of their rights. Find out more about the help and support you are entitled to.

  10. Our work proves key to Herefordshire's GP Enhanced Access Service

    News -

    Healthwatch's report was instrumental to the development of the new specification of a GP Enhanced Access Service in Herefordshire.

  11. What to expect when waiting for care

    Advice and Information -

    Waiting for planned medical care or surgery can be a frustrating time. That’s why it’s so important that while you wait, you get regular, clear and accessible updates so that you can plan your next steps.

  12. 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.

  13. What is adult social care?

    Advice and Information -

    Do you or a loved one need help with social care? Read the article below and find out answers to key questions about who can access adult social care and how to pay for it.

  14. Healthwatch Herefordshire's complaints policy

    Advice and Information -

    Our complaints process outlines how to make a complaint about us and our approach to making sure complaints are resolved.

  15. What is Monkeypox and who can get a vaccine?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out the signs and symptoms of monkeypox, what to do if you think you have it and who is eligible for a vaccine.

  16. 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.

  17. What is Long Covid and what help is available?

    Advice and Information -

    Confused about Long Covid? Find out the common symptoms and how to get support.

  18. Does the NHS have to provide an interpreter?

    Advice and Information -

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

  19. How can you find an NHS dentist?

    Advice and Information -

    Are you having trouble finding an NHS funded dentist? Read our tips on what to do if you’re facing problems.

  20. Herefordshire General Practice - Enhanced Access

    Report -

    Alongside Taurus Healthcare, we wanted to understand how an enhanced access service for general practice could offer even more flexibility and availability for appointments both in and out of GP hours.

  21. Falls Prevention

    Report -

    In 2020 Healthwatch spoke to 172 people about their experience of falls and their understanding of measures to prevent them. We also gathered views about their feelings on social isolation.

  22. Herefordshire Diabetes Project

    Report -

    Alongside our primary care networks, we undertook a piece of work to research what effective management of Type 2 diabetes looks like.

  23. 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.

  24. Hospital Discharge Report

    Report -

    We worked in partnership with Wye Valley NHS Trust to engage with people about a wide range of aspects relating to hospital discharge.

  25. 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.

  26. Community Pharmacy Consultation Service

    Report -

    We conducted semi-structured interviews with GPs/GP practice staff from Hereford Medical Group, community pharmacy teams, and patients to evaluate the Community Pharmacy Consultation Service (CPCS).

  27. Herefordshire Dental Engagement

    Report -

    We engaged with over 675 people to gather opinions on a new approach to dental commissioning and identify key areas of importance in accessing dental care.

  28. Covid-19 Survey Report

    Report -

    In response to the Covid-19 Pandemic, Healthwatch Herefordshire developed a survey (based on a Healthwatch England template) to gather views and experiences of Herefordshire residents on health and social care services during this challenging period.

  29. 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.

  30. Children's Dental Health Report

    Report -

    The dental health of children in Herefordshire is poorer than the national and regional average. In January- March 2018 Healthwatch spoke to 522 people about children’s dental health in the county. Read about what people said, our findings and our recommendations in the report.

  31. NHS Long Term Plan

    Report -

    Between March-June 2019, Healthwatch Herefordshire and Healthwatch Worcestershire gathered views across both counties on local NHS priorities featured in the NHS Long-Term Plan.

  32. 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.

  33. 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.

  34. Outpatient Service Engagement

    Report -

    Wye Valley trust are currently reviewing Outpatients services and Healthwatch Herefordshire has undertaken an exercise to ask patients about their experience of using the service in the last 6 months.

  35. Patient Experiences of Outpatient Clinics in Hereford Hospital

    Report -

    From 11 – 22 March 2019, we undertook several Enter & View visits at Hereford County Hospital. We were gathering views and experiences of patients using outpatient clinics at the hospital.

  36. Living with and Beyond Cancer

    Report -

    The Living With and Beyond Cancer team of Wye Valley Trust and Macmillan jointly hosted two focus groups in Hereford with Healthwatch, for people who have or have had cancer and family and friends to share their experiences and views on cancer care.

  37. Cervical Screening Project

    Report -

    During 2020- 2021 we worked with Herefordshire's Macmillan Cancer Lead and students at Hereford College of Arts to develop a cervical screening awareness campaign that was inclusive to all.

  38. Our Annual Report 2020-2021

    Report -

    We published 7 reports about health and care services, 64 people shared their experiences with us and we had a reach of 509 430 across our social media channels.

  39. Our Annual Report 2019-2020

    Report -

    We published 4 reports about health and care services, provided 89 people with reliable advice and information and had a reach of 311,389 across social media channels.

  40. Our Annual Report 2018-2019

    Report -

    We published 8 reports, provided 143 residents with reliable advice and information and listened to the experiences of 35 people through our Feedback Centre.

  41. Our Annual Report 2021-2022

    Report -

    We published 4 reports about the improvements people would like to see to health and social care services, set up the Herefordshire Community Partnership, gained a reach of 252,900 across social media channels, and provided 188 people with information and advice.

  42. State of the Sector Report

    News -

    Research for The ‘State of the Sector’ report sought to quantify the size, breadth and diversity of the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector in Herefordshire.

  43. Healthwatch Bids Farewell to Director

    News -

    At the end of August, Healthwatch Herefordshire bids farewell to one of its Directors, Richard Kelly.

  44. Maternal Mental Health Campaign

    News -

    Healthwatch Herefordshire are supporting Healthwatch England in their Maternal Mental Health project.

  45. Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Herefordshire - Have Your Say!

    News -

    Herefordshire’s Health and Wellbeing Board is working on a Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy that identifies priorities for local action.

  46. Stroke Services - Have your say

    News -

    Across the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care System (ICS) and with partners in Powys, Wales, organisations have been working together to consider the sustainability of stroke services.

  47. Research Ready Communities

    News -

    The Department for Health and Social Care is currently looking for a Community Partner Organisation and Community Champions in Herefordshire.

  48. Read our Report on GP Enhanced Access

    News -

    For many patients, finding the time to see a GP for routine matters can be a challenge. At its worst, this could have a significant impact on people who may be tempted to ignore a health issue. 

  49. Our Annual Report is Published!

    News -

    Healthwatch Herefordshire's Annual Report details what the team has been up to over the past year and the challenges that it's faced.

  50. 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.