Our Quarterly Impact & Activity Report: April to June 2026
Click here to read the full report
Quarterly highlights
Between April and June 2026:
- We recorded 247 pieces of health and social care feedback
- We referred or escalated 105 complaints and concerns
- We published two major reports
- We made 12 formal submissions or requests to NHS, council, hospice, commissioning and regulatory organisations
What people told us
GPs, dentists and other primary care services accounted for 45.3% of feedback, followed by hospital services at 25.5%.
Key issues included:
- difficulty accessing timely GP and hospital care
- missing results and delayed follow-up
- concerns about quality and continuity of care
- problems finding affordable NHS dentistry
- inaccessible technology, transport and digital services
- communication and support around maternity and mental health
Key work and impact
We published our 2025–26 Annual Report, showing that 1,664 people shared their experiences during the year, 1,208 received information or support and 457 concerns were referred or escalated.
We also shared our Digital Healthcare Access report with NHS and wider partners. It highlighted how multiple apps, portals and communication routes can make accessing care confusing, and called for clearer digital pathways, continued non-digital options and support for people at risk of exclusion.
We began to help NHS Devon plan forthcoming accessible engagement for its One Plan for Devon, including events, community outreach, surveys and paper postcards across five local areas.
What we did with your views
- People told us that NHS earwax treatment routes were unclear. Following our request, NHS Devon confirmed that GP practices are commissioned to assess and manage clinically significant earwax, although access to microsuction continues to vary.
- We raised concerns about Plymouth families being offered GP appointments at a different surgery, sometimes requiring lengthy public transport journeys. We are continuing to seek a response.
- Feedback from 59 Royal Eye Infirmary patients and carers also led University Hospitals Plymouth to commit to reviewing patient information, telephone access, check-in arrangements, volunteer support and wayfinding.
- Public experiences also informed six NHS and hospice Quality Account responses, Care Quality Commission work, Devon County Council’s review of NHS dentistry and wider local planning and scrutiny meetings.
Healthwatch is still here
Proposed changes to Healthwatch through the Health Bill are not yet law. We remain open, independent and fully operational.
During the quarter, we wrote to local MPs and submitted evidence to Parliament, calling for any future approach to remain independent, accessible, properly funded and able to work across health and social care.
