1. Someone I love has died - where can I find support

    Advice and Information -

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

  2. What is domestic abuse and how can I get support?

    Advice and Information -

    If you are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who might be, find out where you can go for advice and help.

  3. Getting the most out of the virtual health and care experience

    Advice and Information -

    With more and more appointments happening online, we've put together some tips on how to get the most out of the virtual health and care appointments both for patients and health and care professionals.

  4. What support can I get as a carer?

    Advice and Information -

    Many people who provide unpaid care are unaware of their rights. Find out more about the help and support you are entitled to.

  5. Young Healthwatch Report

    Report -

    Young Healthwatch is a network of volunteers aged 14-25 who represent the views of children and young people living, working or studying Westminster. This report details the review of services from a young persons perspective.

  6. Annual Report 2019-20

    Report -

    This report details our staff and volunteers’ response to the Covid-19 crisis so far. It is clear from our findings that COVID-19 has affected people in different ways and exacerbated existing health inequalities.

  7. Your Experience Matters: Responses from Black Asian and minority residents

    Report -

    The COVID-19: Your Experience Matters survey was developed to capture the broadest range of experiences: in this report, we look at physical health and access to services; mental health and wellbeing; personal and family relationships; housing, environment and finances; and information.

  8. Thank you to everyone who attended our virtual Annual Meeting

    News -

    Last week we were excited to host our first virtual Annual Meeting.
    We brought together over 80 Healthwatch Central West London members, stakeholders, volunteers, staff, trustees, external colleagues and local people to present our annual report and showcase our work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though we could not meet in person, we had a fantastic turnout, and it was great to see so many familiar faces.

  9. What have we learnt from recent engagement work on COVID-19?

    News -

    We have published a COVID-19 insight report in collaboration with Breathe Easy Westminster. The report highlights the impact of COVID-19 on those living with a long-term respiratory condition.

  10. Your experience matters: how have you been affected by the second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak?

    News -

    This week we have launched an updated version of our survey Coronavirus: Your Experience Matters.

  11. Improving public health messaging: what we have learnt from recent engagement work

    News -

    At the moment, awareness of public health messaging is particularly important. A key part of our role at Healthwatch Central West London is raising awareness of Government and NHS public health messaging and working to ensure these messages are available to everybody.

  12. How the pandemic is changing the training we offer

    News -

    The way we carry out our work has changed substantially over the past eight months. We are not in the office anymore and have not been since March.

  13. Learning lessons from the lock down: how we use technology

    News -

    As we adapt to living with COVID-19 long-term, technology has become increasingly central to how many of us communicate. With opportunities for face-to-face interaction limited, technology like video calling software has provided somewhat of an alternative. From doctors’ appointments to family catch-ups, how we communicate, receive information, and interact with others has changed considerably.

  14. Disability Confident Employer

    News -

    We are pleased to announce that we are an accredited Disability Confident Employer.

  15. Your Experience Matters Survey – experiences of people identifying as Black Asian and minority ethnic residents - latest findings

    News -

    We have surveyed people about how they have been affected by COVID-19. We wanted to highlight the experiences of those who responded to our survey who identified as being from a minority ethnic group.

  16. The latest update documents from our COVID-19 engagement

    News -

    We have been asking you to tell us how COVID-19 has affected you and your loved ones.
    We all know by now that there is much more to the impact of this pandemic than catching COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

  17. We’re on a mission to reach residents who are not online

    News -

    The most important part of our work is listening to local experiences of health and social care. It influences the information we publish, the resources we produce, and the recommendations that we share with local NHS providers. We want to reach more people who do not have digital access: this means email, social media, and even this website you’re looking at right now.

  18. PPGs are responding to Coronavirus outbreak

    News -

    During the Coronavirus outbreak, many PPGs suspended their activities allowing practice staff to focus on health emergency. However, most proactive PPGs continued working and were creative in their approach.

  19. How do you feel about visiting GP surgeries, as lockdown eases?

    News -

    The Patients Association is currently carrying out a survey to find out how patients feel about visiting GP surgeries as lockdown eases.

  20. Q&A Discussion: your experiences and recommendations for mental health services

    News -

    We want to speak to local users of NHS mental health services in Central North West London about how local care can address their protected characteristics.

  21. Young people’s experiences of mental health before and during the COVID-19 outbreak

    News -

    The latest results from Young Healthwatch’s ongoing survey with young people in London is here: YHW Mental Health Survey Final.
    When we first began reaching out to young people in 2019 (between the ages of 14 and 25) who were living, working or studying in Westminster, we wanted them to tell us about the health and social care issues that mattered the most to them.

  22. Creative resilience workshops for young Londoners

    News -

    Join a series of online workshops facilitated by The Fandangoe Kid, a Hackney-based print artist, to explore challenges and issues facing young people.

  23. Call NHS 111 before turning up to your local A&E

    News -

    The pre-booking process, using the NHS’s triage line, will allow A&E departments to be managed more efficiently and reduce waiting times. The NHS is to pilot a “call first” model of Accident & Emergency which could be rolled out across the country, health chiefs have said, as reported in The Telegraph.

  24. Our 2020 Annual Report has landed

    News -

    Our Annual Report is here!

  25. What multi ethnic communities say about COVID-19 and the response to the pandemic

    News -

    Your Experience Matters
    In April this year, we launched Your Experience Matters, our most comprehensive survey to date, in which we asked residents to share their experiences of the COVID-19 outbreak.

  26. Insights from Black Asian and ethnic minority communities: community wellbeing and primary care services

    News -

    We are pleased to share our latest report, Insights from BAME Communities in Central West London 2020, which presents the views of 73 individuals from BAME communities, who we held focus groups with, in partnership with BME Health Forum, last year.

  27. Small Grants awarded to five organisations

    News -

    In January, we launched our first ever small grants project.

  28. Join our Young Healthwatch Volunteers!

    Advice and Information -

    Volunteering roles are available for young people aged 18-25!

  29. How to access NHS services during the Festive Period

    Advice and Information -

    Some usual NHS services will be closed or running reduced hours

  30. Help improve local care as part of the Healthwatch Westminster Advisory Group

    News -

    Could you share your expertise and experience to help ensure Healthwatch Westminster is effective, inclusive, and transparent in its priority setting?

  31. Most vulnerable to be offered Covid-19 booster jab this spring

    News -

    A booster jab is to be offered this spring to those most at risk becoming serious ill from Covid-19. In England, these vaccinations will begin in April.

  32. Six-week postnatal check for new mums - FAQs

    Advice and Information -

    Here's everything you need to know about the six-week postnatal check for new mothers and birthing parents

  33. Have you had trouble attending a podiatry appointment in Westminster?

    News -

    Have you used podiatry services recently in Westminster? Did you have trouble attending the appointment? Share your experience to help improve access - it only takes a few minutes

  34. Have you used a translation service in Westminster?

    News -

    Recently used a translation service in Westminster or had trouble accessing one? We want to hear from you!

  35. Overview of recent visits to the St Charles Mental Health Unit

    Report -

    This report gives an overview of our series of visits to the St Charles Mental Health Unit.

  36. Enter & View Report: Amazon Ward (St Charles Mental Health Unit)

    Report -

    This report presents the findings of our recent visit to Amazon Ward at St Charles Mental Health Unit.

  37. Enter & View Report: Danube Ward (St Charles Mental Health Unit)

    Report -

    This report presents the findings of our recent visit to Danube Ward at St Charles Mental Health Unit.

  38. Enter & View Report: Ganges Ward (St Charles Mental Health Unit)

    Report -

    This report presents the findings of our recent visit to Ganges Ward at St Charles Mental Health Unit.

  39. Enter & View Report: Thames Ward (St Charles Mental Health Unit)

    Report -

    This report presents the findings of our recent visit to Thames Ward at St Charles Mental Health Unit.

  40. Our findings on quality of care at St Charles Mental Health Unit

    News -

    The findings of our Enter & View visits to four acute mental health wards at St Charles Hospital Mental Health Unit have been published.

  41. Join the Healthwatch Westminster Advisory Group!

    News -

    Healthwatch Westminster is recruiting new members for its Advisory Group.

  42. Changes to NHS NWL complaints policy

    News -

    From 1 July, the NHS complaints procedure is changing - here’s what residents of Westminster need to know

  43. We are what we eat: Transforming food aid in Westminster

    Report -

    Healthwatch Westminster and RBKC leads have completed a report on the importance of our local food aid services and the residents they serve.

  44. The NHS at 75

    News -

    On the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the NHS, we want to renew our commitment to support and improve health and social care

  45. Lost for Words: translation services in Westminster

    Report -

    Evaluating language support and interpretation services within Primary Care Settings in Westminster

  46. Annual Report 2022/23

    Report -

    Our annual report for 2022/2023 is now out!

  47. Best Foot forward: Community perspectives of podiatry services in Westminster

    Report -

    This engagement report explores service accessibility, quality of care, patient experiences, and quality of information and advice provided to Westminster & RBKC residents about podiatry services.

  48. Accessing health services over the August bank holiday

    News -

    Find out what's open when, and what to do if you have a medical emergency.

  49. Community perspectives on the impact of the closure of acute mental health services at the Gordon Hospital

    Report -

    Public views on the closure of acute mental health in-patient services at the Gordon Hospital