News and reports

With the NHS experiencing the busiest summer on record, the waiting list for treatment has hit a new high, according to latest figures. Read Healthwatch England's response.

Update of our work across June and July 2022.

New plans to open surgical hubs should reduce the backlog of patients waiting for care. Our National Director Louise Ansari highlights the need for a focus on tackling health inequalities.

After 19 months and nearly half a million Covid-19 jabs given, Greater Manchester’s mass vaccination centre will be closing its doors. The final vaccination will be given at the centre, housed at the Manchester Tennis and Football Centre on the Etihad Campus, on Tuesday August 30th.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated The Breightmet Centre for Autism in Bolton as inadequate overall and placed it in special measures following an inspection in March.

Home-testing kits that can help detect bowel cancer, before symptoms start, will be rolled out to 58-year-olds in England for the first time, as part of a major expansion of the lifesaving screening programme.

Find out the signs and symptoms of monkeypox, what to do if you think you have it and who is eligible for a vaccine.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found work is needed to reduce pressure on urgent and emergency care services across Lancashire and South Cumbria. This follows a series of coordinated inspections which took place throughout March and April.

Thanks to you, NHS England will take several steps to ensure better dental support for people with complex problems and improve the information for those trying to find an NHS dentist. Read Healthwatch England's response.

Between 9am on Saturday 16th July and 9pm on Tuesday 19th, a Level 3 heat health alert has been put in place. The Met Office has also issued a Red Extreme heat weather warning covering Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures potentially reaching 40°c in some parts of the country.

Update of our work across April and May 2022.

We've published our Healthwatch annual report, to give you a closer look at how your involvement has helped us improve services locally.