1. Living with long-term health conditions in Westminster

    Report -

    People told us that there was little support to help them stay well and manage their long-term health conditions. Others reported that
    they were unsure of how to access additional support for people living with long- term health conditions.

  2. Report shines a light on possibilities for future mental health provision in Westminster

    News -

    The Voice Exchange was a project we ran throughout 2021. Commissioned by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, the project focused on speaking with people in Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea, to explore how mental health services in the bi-borough could look in the future.

  3. Community events to mark the five year anniversary of the Grenfell Tower Fire

    News -

    Today marks the five year anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire. This is an important day for our community and many local groups have organised events of commemoration and remembrance.

  4. Homecare: helping our local councils to understand what needs to change…

    News -

    In our first ‘in-person’ event after lockdown restrictions eased, we brought together people who receive home care, relatives, unpaid carers, and workers from Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea Councils for a workshop on improving local home care services.

  5. Digital Healthcare: hearing from minority ethnic groups locally

    News -

    For the past 8 months, we have been carrying out public engagement in collaboration with a range of grassroots partnerships to understand how people have been using health services and healthcare support ‘online’. Using health services in this way is becoming known as Digital Healthcare*.

  6. 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.

  7. Our upcoming project: homelessness and mental health needs

    Blog -

    Our new project aims to identify the mental health needs of those who experience homelessness in Westminster

  8. Westminster Council takes aim against low MMR vaccination rates

    Advice and Information -

    Pop-up hubs - including local libraries and community spaces situated around Westminster – will be transformed into vaccination spots so that residents of all ages can get vaccinated against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)

  9. Industrial Action: NHS senior doctors and the government reach a pay deal

    News -

    Senior NHS doctors in England have accepted an improved pay deal from the government after months of striking. Read our response.

  10. Registering with your GP: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    People have told us they can have problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register.

  11. Do you need help travelling to NHS services?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.

  12. 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.

  13. Half Penny Steps Walk in Service

    Report -

    Half Penny Steps is a GP practice. The Practice is split into two distinct services one for GP/primary care medical services, and the other for the GP walk-in service, which operates
    7 days a week.

  14. Soho Square General Practice Enter & View Visit

    Report -

    This report presents the findings of the Dignity Champions’ ‘Enter and View’ visit to Soho Square General Practice in Soho.

  15. The connection between young people and local GP practices: Young Healthwatch volunteers investigate…

    News -

    Findings from our young people’s survey highlight a distinct lack of connection between young people and their GP practices (Primary Care) in a time when they need it more than ever.

  16. Have your say about contacting your GP practice online

    News -

    Online GP consultations have become more common since the COVID-19 pandemic, when many GP practices were physically closed to patients. Some online systems have now been expanded, with patients able to see their GP online for anything from a routine consultation to non-urgent medical advice, or support with a long-term condition.

  17. Helping Garway patients to understand what’s happening to their data

    News -

    We were delighted to work with the Garway Medical Practice Patient Participation Group (PPG) earlier this month to help Garaway patients to understand the issues surrounding General Practice Data for Planning and Research (GPDPR).

  18. 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

  19. Our Enter & View Policy

    Report -

    Our Enter & View Policy

  20. Have your say: Pharmacy First

    Advice and Information -

    Are you or your community affected by the new Pharmacy First scheme? How has it impacted your access to care? Do you have any feedback or concerns about the scheme? We want to hear from you!

  21. Improving access to GP services across North West London

    News -

    We are looking to collect information about residents’ experiences booking and accessing GP appointments across North West London

  22. Our Signposting & Advice Service

    Advice and Information -

    If you need help and support accessing local services, or need assistance making a complaint, you can reach out to us

  23. Enter & View Report: Elgin Clinic

    Report -

    We engaged with patients and staff at Elgin Clinic to gather feedback on service accessibility and provided recommendations to the GP Practice based on this feedback.

  24. Enter & View Report: Doctor Hickey Surgery

    Report -

    We engaged with patients and staff at Doctor Hickey Surgery to gather feedback on service accessibility and provided recommendations to the GP Practice based on this feedback.

  25. Enter & View Report: Grand Union Health Centre

    Report -

    We engaged with patients and staff at Grand Union Health Centre to gather feedback on service accessibility and provided recommendations to the GP Practice based on this feedback.

  26. GP Access in North West London: Health Inequalities Lecture

    News -

    We recently hosted a discussion, in partnership with the Advocacy Project, to understand how patients would like to access their GP and allow them to share their experiences.

  27. Top tips 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.

  28. 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.

  29. What is adult social care?

    Advice and Information -

    Do you or a loved one need help with social care? Read the article below and find out answers to key questions about who can access adult social care and how to pay for it.

  30. Our Priorities for the Year Ahead

    Blog -

    Our upcoming projects and priorities for 2024

  31. Join the Patient and Carer Advisory Group about Waiting Lists

    News -

    The North West London Networked Data Lab are looking for patients and carers to join their Patient and Carer Advisory Group

  32. 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.

  33. What to expect when waiting for care

    Advice and Information -

    Waiting for planned medical care or surgery can be a frustrating time. That’s why it’s so important that while you wait, you get regular, clear and accessible updates so that you can plan your next steps.

  34. How to look after your mental health while self-isolating with COVID-19

    Advice and Information -

    The current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may cause you to feel worried, anxious, or scared. Read our tips to looking after your wellbeing when self-isolating.

  35. An update on COVID-19 vaccinations for children

    News -

    The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. It gives you the best protection against COVID-19. Although COVID-19 is often mild in children, it can make some children unwell.

  36. Vaccination: now offered to 12-15 year olds in schools

    News -

    The vaccine is now being offered to all 12 to 15-year-olds and the NHS will be delivering the vaccination through schools. Schools are contacted with students of this age to arrange a date to vaccinate their students.

  37. What have we learnt from our recent COVID-19 engagement work with LEGS?

    News -

    We have published a COVID-19 insight report in collaboration with LEGS. The report highlights the impact of COVID-19 on those who have had a stroke or who are living with a neurological condition.

  38. 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.

  39. 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.

  40. 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.

  41. 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.

  42. 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.

  43. 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).

  44. 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.

  45. 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.

  46. 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.

  47. NHS launches seasonal COVID-19 vaccination programme this month

    News -

    The NHS national booking system (NBS) is now open for eligible people to book their spring COVID-19 booster for free, from 22 April until 30 June 2024