1. Government to expand cervical screening access through NHS App

    Response -

    The Government has announced measures to improve women's experiences with cervical screening. Booking screening should be easier, and lower-risk people will attend fewer appointments.

  2. General Pharmaceutical Council launches new strategic plan

    News -

    The General Pharmaceutical Council has launched its new strategic plan at a UK Parliamentary event attended by the UK Pharmacy Minister.

  3. Record number of Devon patients using the NHS App to manage their healthcare

    News -

    Record numbers of patients in Devon are now accessing healthcare services through the NHS App.

  4. Reducing barriers to accessing appointments

    Blog -

    People in Torbay have improved access to low-level healthcare support after we led on a collaborative Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) prevention project offering free blood pressure and health checks in the local community.

  5. Our 2024-25 Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth & Torbay Annual Report

    Report -

    Our 2024–25 Annual Report highlights a year of impactful community engagement, meaningful partnerships, and people-driven improvements to local health and social care services.

  6. NHS App of the future will include an 'AI doctor'

    News -

    The NHS App will be updated to 'democratise' healthcare by giving all patients more access to triage tools and comparison information about providers from the NHS App.

  7. Healthwatch Champions People-Powered Change in Health and Care Across Devon, Plymouth & Torbay

    News -

    We have released our new 2024–25 Annual Report, highlighting a year of impactful community engagement, meaningful partnerships, and people-driven improvements to local health and social care services.

  8. Government orders investigation into failing maternity services

    News -

    The Government has ordered a rapid investigation of up to 10 failing maternity services to ‘provide truth and accountability for impacted families and drive urgent improvements’.

  9. Hearing care "crisis" in East Devon after abrupt NHS audiology handover

    News -

    Patients across eastern Devon have been left struggling to access essential hearing services following what has been described as a chaotic handover of the region's NHS audiology contract.

  10. Our response to Government Decision to Abolish Healthwatch Network

    Response -

    Following media reports that the Government are abolishing bodies and organisations that unfortunately include Healthwatch England and the local Healthwatch Network, our Chair Dr Kevin Dixon has issued the response below.

  11. Patients praise pharmacy services, but medicine shortages persist

    News -

    A year after the launch of Pharmacy First, the NHS scheme designed to speed up treatment for common conditions, our national partners Healthwatch England have published a new poll of over 7,000 adults’ experience of using pharmacies.

  12. One year on: How is Pharmacy First working for patients?

    Report -

    In January 2024, Pharmacy First went live, helping people get treatment for seven common conditions faster without seeing a GP. Our new report examines people's experiences with pharmacy services one year later, identifying what's working and the remaining challenges.

  13. The NHS 10-Year Health Plan: Our response and what it means for you

    News -

    The Government has released its new 10-Year Health Plan — here’s what it says, and what it could mean for Healthwatch and you.

  14. National Review on Patient Safety Published

    News -

    The latest Review of Patient Safety Across the Health and Care Landscape, commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and run by Dr Penny Dash, has been published.

  15. GP Strike to go ahead later this month

    News -

    Resident doctors in England will go on strike for five days later this month, the British Medical Assocation has announced.

  16. 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.

  17. How to get the most out of your GP appointment

    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.

  18. Volunteers Week

    Event -

  19. World Health Day

    Event -

  20. Mental Health Awareness Week 2023

    Event -

  21. World Alzheimer’s Day

    Event -

  22. World Autism Awareness Day

    Event -

  23. Children's Mental Health Week

    Event -

  24. Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week

    Event -

  25. Dying Matters Week

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  26. Dignity Action Day

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  27. Time to talk day

    Event -

  28. Student volunteering week

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  29. National eating disorders awareness week

    Event -

  30. Zero discrimination day

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  31. Young carers action day

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  32. Stress Awareness Month

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  33. International midwifes' day

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  34. Pride Month

    Event -

  35. Carers Week

    Event -

  36. The Samaritans - The big listen

    Event -

  37. World Breastfeeding Week

    Event -

  38. World Suicide Prevention Day

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  39. World patient safety day

    Event -

  40. World Pharmacists' day

    Event -

  41. Black history month

    Event -

  42. World mental health day

    Event -

  43. Movember

    Event -

  44. National stress awareness day

    Event -

  45. National self care week

    Event -

  46. Carers' rights day

    Event -

  47. International day of persons with disabilities

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  48. International volunteer day

    Event -

  49. Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

    Event -

  50. International Women's Day

    Event -