1. How to access mental health support if you have gender, sexuality or relationship diversity

    Advice and Information -

    Mental health problems are more common among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people. 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.

  2. Does the NHS have to provide an interpreter?

    Advice and Information -

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

  3. Cost of Living Feedback Report

    Report -

    Healthwatch England recently published their findings and a set of immediate actions for the Government and the NHS, in relation to the cost of living and the detrimental impact it is having on people’s decisions about their own health and wellbeing.

    In light of these findings, we wanted to find out if the cost of living was having an impact on people in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay and if so, in what way.

    60 people responded to the survey and the survey ran throughout March to May 2023.

    By Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay

  4. Accessing services in Devon: Feedback from the Deaf community

    Report -

    In 2022, Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay held a series of meetings with the South West representative of the Royal Association for Deaf People to discuss various concerns that were being raised around access to British Sign Language (BSL) qualified interpreters. These concerns include:

    • Interpreters to support appointments in hospital and GP surgeries
    • Interpreters to support complaints process
    • Access to information

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

    Advice and Information -

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

  6. Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust welcomes Care Quality Commission reports

    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.

  7. Healthwatch response to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report

    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.

  8. NHS in Devon prepares for Easter weekend

    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.

  9. Healthwatch report on people's experiences of using opticians

    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.

  10. Help the NHS in Devon this bank holiday weekend

    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.

  11. How to improve ADHD support for people

    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.