1. Healthwatch Launches 10,000 Stories to get the county chatting

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    Healthwatch will be celebrating co-production week with the public by holding a series of events in Herefordshire, culminating in the exciting launch of 10,000 Stories at lunchtime on Friday 5th July at The Oval, South Wye Hereford.

  2. Student finds work experience week with Healthwatch very engaging

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    Work experience student Helena enjoyed an interesting week with the team at Healthwatch.

  3. Annual Report 2023-24

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    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.

  4. Wellness Watchers

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    Welcome to the Healthwatch Herefordshire Wellness Watchers Volunteer Hub!

    We're thrilled to have you here.

    At Healthwatch Herefordshire our volunteers are the heartbeat of our mission to improve health and social care services for everyone in our community. Whether you're passionate about giving back, looking to gain new skills or eager to make a difference, we have a variety of volunteer opportunities that will be just right for you.

  5. Public Consultation on Urgent Out of Hours GP Service

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    Healthwatch Herefordshire were commissioned by Taurus Healthcare in May 2024 to carry out a 6-week public consultation on a proposed change to the urgent out of hours GP service in regards to moving the service to a new location in Autumn 2024. This report details the findings of that consultation.

  6. Healthwatch Participation Project REN2

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    The Research Engagement Network 2 (REN2) project seeks to establish a health, wellbeing and care participation function and resource for Herefordshire. This interim report provides an overview of the Phase 1 REN2 activities and presents the findings from the focus groups involved, emphasizing the value and importance of co-production and public participation.

  7. Hear Our Voices Event May 2024

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    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.

  8. Quarterly Report (April - June 2024)

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

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

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    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.

  10. GPs' collective action - Healthwatch Response

    Response -

    The British Medical Association has announced today that GPs will start capping appointments in an immediate work-to-rule action following a dispute over funding levels. Read Healthwatch England's response.

  11. Chatty Van at Wye Float Hereford

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  12. Chatty Van at Longtown & District Show

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  13. Wellness Watchers Volunteers Pop Up Leominster

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  14. Wellness Watchers Volunteers Pop Up Ross on Wye Market House

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  15. Wellness Watchers Volunteers Pop Up Tesco Belmont Hereford

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  16. 10,000 Stories, what a novel idea!

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    As our 10,000 Stories initiative gets well underway across Herefordshire, we talk with Simone Thompson - Herefordshire Together Program Manager about where the idea came from and what it’s all about.

  17. Chatty Van at Play in the Park

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  18. Wellness Watchers Volunteers Pop Up Burley Gate

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  19. Wellness Watchers Volunteers Pop Up Ledbury

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  20. Chatty Van at Leominster Food Fayre

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  21. Chatty Van at Hereford and Ludlow Freshers Fair

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  22. Chatty Van at Open Arms Kington

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  23. Chatty Van at Leominster in Bloom

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  24. Chatty Van at Hereford College of Arts Freshers Event

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  25. Muriel’s Story – A Welcome Approach to Volunteering

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    At Healthwatch Herefordshire our volunteers are the heartbeat of our mission to improve health and social care services for everyone in Herefordshire. Read volunteer Muriel's story and find out how she is making a difference in her role as a Wellness Watcher.

  26. 10,000 Stories Awareness Raising Toolkit

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  27. Wellness Watchers Volunteer Resources

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    Our Wellness Watchers Volunteer Resources page contains useful links, instructions and information to help you in your role.

  28. Darzi review: Time to reset the contract between patients and the NHS?

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    Lord Darzi’s Independent Investigation of the NHS highlights the NHS's problems but presents a chance for change.

  29. World Homeless Day Awareness Raising Toolkit

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    World Homeless Day takes place on the 10th of October each year. The Herefordshire Homelessness Forum comprises a wide partnership of local organisations who on this day in particular want to highlight the issue, reduce the stigma surrounding it, outline the range of circumstances that can lead people to homelessness and celebrate the organisations working hard in Herefordshire providing help and support to those experiencing it.

  30. How to make cervical screening (a smear test) work for you

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    Cervical screening, previously known as a smear test, saves over 4,000 lives every year in the UK. However, some women find it uncomfortable, so it's important to know what support is available and what adjustments you can request.

  31. Community Led Engagement & Research Project Report

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

  32. Temporary closures add to crisis in community pharmacies

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    New Freedom of Information findings reveal a worrying picture of pharmacy closures across England, hitting older people and rural communities the hardest. Read our research to find out more.

  33. Chatty Team at Dementia Festival Hereford

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  34. Wellness Watchers Volunteers Golden Valley Tour

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  35. Chatty Van at Queenswood Country Park

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  36. Chatty Team at The Family Fun Festival Courtyard Hereford

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  37. Menopause & Me Talk Garway, Herefordshire

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

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    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.

  39. Have your say to help fix the NHS

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    The Government has launched a public consultation for a new 10-year plan for the NHS. Find out why you should have your say.

  40. Four challenges people face living with learning disabilities

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    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.

  41. Proactive Care Project Report

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    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).

  42. Public’s confusion over ‘right’ to register with an NHS dentist

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    Almost two decades after the public lost their right to register permanently with an NHS dentist, our new research shows two-thirds believe this right exists. Find out more about our findings and calls for dental reform.

  43. New measures aim to improve NHS performance

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    The Government has announced steps to improve the performance of the NHS, including a league table so that the public can see the best and worst performing NHS providers.

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

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

  45. Top tips to get the most out of your GP appointment

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    Do you struggle to speak to your doctor about your medical concerns? You’re not alone. Take a look at our top tips to make the most out of your GP appointment.

  46. What should you expect from home care services?

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    Five things you should expect from home care, domiciliary care or help in the home.

  47. Top 10 ways to get the most out of your next dental appointment

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    How can I get the most out of my next visit to the dentist? Take a look at our tips to help you prepare for your appointment and make sure you understand your treatment and how much it will cost.