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This Patient Experience Summary covers the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.
This summary will focus on the feedback raised in Plymouth. The data for Torbay and Devon for the last 12 months is not sufficient to draw conclusions or observations, but issues raised have been similar. When looking at the Plymouth data specifically and comparing the amount of feedback received since 1 April 2018, we have seen an increase year on year.Report -
Building on previous pieces of work on the NHS 111 services provided by Devon Doctors in Devon and Somerset, Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay (HWDPT) and Healthwatch Somerset (HWS) worked together to find out whether people’s experiences with the 111 service had improved or changed since the previous research was carried out.
This report highlights our key findings and detailed responses.Response -
The Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced today that he will bring the NHS back under the control of ministers by abolishing NHS England.Report -
Healthwatch Plymouth were invited to a drop-in workshop with a group of women working with ‘Gifted Women’ – a charity for women who are rebuilding their lives after substance misuse, homelessness and contact with the criminal justice system – to learn more about their experiences with local health and social care services.Report -
In October 2023, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust’s (UHP) Royal Eye Infirmary (REI) service moved from its location at Derriford Hospital to a new purpose-built building in the International Business Park near to the Derriford Hospital Site. Earlier this year Healthwatch Plymouth (HWP) conducted visits to the REI to engage with patients around their experiences of the new facility. This engagement report collates and summarises this patient feedback.Report -
In May 2022, Healthwatch Plymouth were approached by the new provider of Mayflower Medical Group (MMG) to undertake a patient survey.
The survey’s focus was to address long established patient concerns and frustrations in accessing GP services at the 5 surgeries that form MMG and to ask for suggestions on generally improving the service and in particular improving access.Blog -
From November 2024 to February 2025 we worked with NHS Devon to gather over 3,500 of your views, experiences, and ideas, which shaped a new 10 Year Health Plan for the whole of Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.News -
The government has announced that NHS dental changes will go up from 1 April by 2.39% .News -
People detained for inpatient assessment and treatment under the Mental Health Act seem to be more unwell on admission than in the past, according to a report out today from the Care Quality Commission.News -
A Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust team has been shortlisted for its work on digital literacy and inclusion in the prestigious Health Services Journal (HSJ) digital awards 2025.News -
Two projects have been awarded the 2024 Healthwatch Impact Award for their exceptional work in using local people’s experiences to improve care.Response -
Healthwatch England responds to the National Pharmacy Association's call to reduce services.News -
A new domestic abuse support service is set to launch in Devon.News -
Following the announcement last month that the government had agreed a new one-year contract with GPs, Healthwatch can bring you more details of what the changes mean to patient care from 1 April.News -
Good social care can make a big difference to someone's life. But are people always receiving the help they need? Find out what our research and feedback tells us and how we think social care support could be improved.Response -
Read Healthwatch England's response to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report, The Safety Gap, on the accessibility of medicines for people with sensory impairments.Response -
Read Healthwatch England's response to the news that more funding will be made available for community pharmacies.Response -
Satisfaction with health service is at lowest recorded levels. Read the response from our national partners Healthwatch England.News -
Want to find out more about heart health? Join Naing KoKo, consultant cardiologist, at a free health talk on Tuesday 29 April 2025, from 5.30pm-6.30pm at TREC, Torbay Hospital (or online).News -
Dr Joanna Bircher is now a member of the Healthwatch England Committee.News -
The NHS Peninsula Cancer Alliance and Macmillan Cancer Support are undertaking a survey to understand how cancer affects the feelings and emotions of patients, their families, and/or carers.News -
More than 40,000 patients in Devon eligible for the COVID –19 vaccination this Spring have been vaccinated in the first week of the campaign.
News -
The NHS in Devon is preparing for the start of the holiday season, as the first of many visitors start to arrive for the Easter weekend.News -
For the past three years, artist Helen Snell has worked with staff at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust to explore issues of wellbeing and burn out as they tried to recover from the pandemic.News -
The southwest’s major trauma centre and acute specialist hospital at Derriford will benefit from a new, state-of-the-art Emergency Care Building after the Department of Health and Social Care rubber-stamped funding for the project.News -
Working with Royal Mail, NHS and patient organisations, our national partners Healthwatch England have written an open letter to Ofcom highlighting the introduction of new protections to ensure reliable and efficient postal service for NHS patients.News -
New research from our national partners Healthwatch England reveals costs of additional eye care services are likely to deter some people from visiting opticians altogether.Report -
Research from our national partners Healthwatch England has found that costs for additional services when visiting opticians are a barrier to care for people on low incomes.News -
Peninsula Imaging Network (PenRAD) has launched an AI-powered chest CT service across four NHS trusts in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to help detect lung cancer quicker.News -
The Government launched a call for evidence to inform the development of a men's health strategy for England. Share your views by 17 July 2025.Report -
Our latest quarterly impact report is now available to read, which details our key activities for the last quarter, including how we have engaged with the public, a summary of the feedback we have collected, case studies, our reports, recommendations and any outcomes or impact made.Blog -
Our national partner Healthwatch England's latest research found frequent errors in patients’ individual medical records. Read their latest blog below...News -
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is pleased to announce the reopening of its newly refurbished St Edmunds community site in Torquay.News -
To help us get ahead of lung cancer, screening is currently being rolled out across Torbay and South Devon and is available for people aged 55-74 years old who have ever smoked and are registered with a participating GP practice in the area.News -
NHS prescription charges in England will be frozen for the first time in 3 years, keeping the cost of a prescription below ten pounds.News -
Last week the House of Commons Health and Care Select committee has published its report Adult Social Care Reform: The Cost of Inaction.News -
NHS England has published a national specification and clinical guidelines to support the goal of delivering 700,000 extra urgent NHS dental appointments during 2025-26.Blog -
The Government has promised to put in place a 10-Year Health Plan to fix the NHS in England. Our national partners Healthwatch England have outlined the four things that matter most to you and how they should shape the 10-Year Plan. Read their blog below.News -
Ahead of the bank holiday weekend, the advice is to:
• Order and collect any repeat medicines
• Make sure your medicine cabinet is well-stocked
• Make use of community pharmacies
• Look after yourselves and loved ones - check in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.
News -
New poll of 2,579 adults from our national partners Healthwatch England highlights that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis can change people’s lives. Yet long waits for assessments put people with suspected ADHD off seeking professional care. Read more from Healthwatch England below.News -
Inpatient and community children’s services run by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as good by the Care Quality Commission following unannounced inspections last year.Report -
The impact ADHD has on people’s lives can be profound and can be spread across multiple areas of their life. Healthwatch England's new report highlights these impacts and the changes they are calling for to ensure everyone gets the support they need.News -
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust have confirmed that they have secured £7.3million from the estates safety fund to reduce their critical infrastructure risks at Torbay Hospital, helping to prevent cancelled appointments and operations.Response -
Patients are being promised better, faster and more appropriate emergency care under government reforms to shorten waiting times in A&E.News -
The Torbay Health and Wellbeing Voluntary Sector Network has released its second annual report showcasing an “extraordinary year of community collaboration, impact, and resilience in the face of ongoing economic and social challenges”.Advice and Information -
The Accessible Information Standard is mandatory for all organisations that provide National Health Service (NHS) or adult social care.Advice and Information -
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.