1. Patient experience of giving blood during the Coronavirus

    Blog -

    A case study on what it is like to give blood during the Coronavirus.

  2. Armed Forces Covenant

    Blog -

    Healthwatch Warwickshire has signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant.

  3. Breast cancer survivor urges people to have their say about NHS in Warwickshire

    Blog -

    Susan, from Leamington Spa, shares her views and is encouraging others to have their say.

  4. Healthwatch Warwickshire Hosts Sixth Annual Conference

    Blog -

    On the 18th of October, we held our 2018 Annual Conference in the Shire Hall Council Chambers in Warwick.

  5. Visit to Leamington Night Shelter

    Blog -

    Read about our visit to Leamington Night Shelter.

  6. Visits to care providers

    Blog -

    Visiting providers of health and social care services is the most hands-on way that any local Healthwatch has to ensure that local services are fit for purpose.

  7. Video recording from WCC Adult Social Care & Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee

    Blog -

    Chris Bain, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Warwickshire presented the findings of our Covid-19 survey to the Warwickshire County Council - Adult Social Care & Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC).

  8. When life gives you lemons...

    Blog -

    A local care home manager has written a blog post about how they have adapted in these unprecedented times.

  9. Volunteer's vaccination experience

    Blog -

    Read about the experience of one of our volunteers having her first Covid-19 vaccination.

  10. Joanne's experience of getting her Covid-19 vaccination

    Blog -

    Joanne Finney, a Grapevine Trustee, talks about her experience as someone with Down’s Syndrome receiving their COVID-19 vaccine

  11. Independent Living

    Blog -

    Find out how people have been moving into independent living during the pandemic.

  12. Board member blog: NHS restructuring

    Blog -

    Our most recently joined Board member, Robin Verso, offers some insight and opinion into the latest NHS restructuring.

  13. What do HWW Engagement and Outreach officers do?

    Blog -

    Some of our Engagement and Outreach officers have recorded a video explaining a bit about what they do.

  14. What does Healthwatch Warwickshire do from day-to-day?

    Blog -

    Hear from some of our staff members about what their job involves, and why Healthwatch is so committed to helping the people of Warwickshire.

  15. Celebrating our volunteers

    Blog -

    We would like to thank all our volunteers for everything they have contributed to Healthwatch Warwickshire.

  16. What is it like for Deaf people accessing health care in Warwickshire?

    Blog -

    Following our survey in 2022, we spoke to four Deaf people about what it is like for them accessing health care in and around Warwickshire. Gillian, Shane and Terry are pictured below.

  17. Registering with your GP: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    Find out more about your rights to access primary care, and what do to if you are refused the right to register with a GP.

  18. 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.

  19. Do you need help getting to hospital?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you travel to your hospital appointments.

  20. 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.

  21. Thinking about end of life care for you and your family

    Advice and Information -

    End of life care is support for people who are in the last months or years of their life. The guidance on the NHS website helps you know what to expect, how to plan ahead and how to manage your day to day decisions.

  22. Accessibility checklist for GP surgeries

    Advice and Information -

    Help make sure that your practice meets people’s accessibility requirements using this checklist from Healthwatch Slough.

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

    Advice and Information -

    We've pulled together a number of services for parents in need of support for their mental health. Read more to find out where you can go to get the help you need.

  24. Seven pieces of information that you should expect to receive after being diagnosed with dementia

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's (NICE) quick guide to discussing and planning support following a dementia diagnosis.

  25. Do you need help travelling to NHS services? Find out about transport options.

    Advice and Information -

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

  26. Where can I find support when someone has died

    Advice and Information -

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

  27. Should I see a pharmacist instead of a doctor?

    Advice and Information -

    ​​​​​​​Avoid the wait at the GP and know when to visit your pharmacist instead. Look at how your pharmacist can help you.

  28. Pregnancy & Parenting Support Services

    Advice and Information -

    If you are pregnant or have recently become a parent, here is information about local services who can provide support.

  29. Do you have caring responsibilities? How to plan in case of an emergency

    Advice and Information -

    If you have a caring responsibility for a loved one you may want to think about a contingency plan, should you become unwell.

  30. Support and advice on energy bills is available from Act on Energy

    Advice and Information -

    Did you know you do not have to struggle to pay your energy bills in these uncertain times?
    The government has released guidance to help residents who may be unable to pay their bills due to job losses, reduced pay, or higher usage.

  31. Three steps to improve mental health support for young people

    Advice and Information -

    Healthwatch England spoke to 47 young people to find out how they want extra funding to be used, so they can access the mental health support they need:

  32. The AskSARA website could make life easier for you.

    Advice and Information -

    A new website called AskSARA has been launched in Warwickshire that shows people gadgets and solutions that can make life easier for them.

  33. Guide to NHS Acronyms

    Advice and Information -

    Are you puzzled by PCNs, confused about CCGs? Here is a guide to some of the NHS acronyms and terms you may have come across:

  34. Care Companion

    Advice and Information -

    Care Companion is a free, simple to use resource developed to support those who care for their loved ones.

  35. The Carer's Trust: Support for people who care for others.

    Advice and Information -

    The Carer's Trust Heart of England can provide information, advice, and support for those with caring responsibilities.

  36. Warwickshire Carers Week

    Advice and Information -

    If you provide regular help for someone who could not cope without you then you are a carer.
    You don't need to do it alone. Find out about support in Warwickshire.

  37. M.E. advocacy service

    Advice and Information -

    Action For M.E. has opened an advocacy service for people affected by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or M.E.

  38. How to access Out of Hospital Services

    Advice and Information -

    South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust has made a number of changes to the iSPA (integrated single point of access), to help you access Out of Hospital services.

  39. WCC – important advice for periods of cold weather

    Advice and Information -

    Warwickshire County Council has issued advice for especially cold weather.

  40. 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.

  41. Making a complaint about social care services – what to expect

    Advice and Information -

    Here we look at six things you should expect when making a complaint about social care services.

  42. Keeping well during the winter

    Advice and Information -

    Cold weather can make some health problems worse and even lead to serious complications, especially if you are older, or if you have a long-term condition.

  43. What to do in a crisis

    Advice and Information -

    Who to contact if you have an issue that requires immediate help.

  44. Falls prevention in hospital: a guide for patients, their families and carers

    Advice and Information -

    Information to help prevent serious injury caused by older people tripping or falling when they are in hospital.

  45. Hip fracture care: 12 questions to ask

    Advice and Information -

    A guide produced by the National Hip Fracture Database for patients who have fractured their hip, and their families and carers.

  46. Strong bones after 50: Fracture liaison services explained

    Advice and Information -

    Information for patients and carers for supporting older people who have broken a bone following a fall.