1. Healthwatch volunteers visit pharmacies in Islington

    News -

    Our volunteers visited local pharmacies to see how accessible they were for people in wheelchairs or with limited mobility.

  2. Healthwatch Islington needs your feedback on screening services

    News -

    If you've been invited for a cervical smear test or breast screening appointment or been sent a home testing kit for bowel cancer screening, then we're interested in hearing about your experience.

  3. Your questions about cervical screening answered

    News -

    At our information event in August, Islington GP Dr Jennifer Rea talked to us about the importance of cervical screening and answered your questions.

  4. Starting up conversations about physical and mental health

    News -

    We've been going out into the community to support residents' mental and physical wellbeing.

  5. The contract to deliver medical services at Hanley Primary Care Centre will not be renewed with the current provider

    News -

    Healthwatch Islington's Chief Executive, Emma Whitby, observed the meeting at which the decision was taken and was impressed by the robustness of the process.

  6. Islington residents give mostly positive feedback on cancer screening services

    News -

    We've spoken to people about screening services at our engagement events and collected views via an online survey.

  7. Recorded information on GP phone lines

    News -

    Our volunteers rang local GP practices as though they were booking an appointment. We wanted to find out how much recorded information they had to listen to and whether the content was up to date.

  8. Residents appreciate support offered at Cost of Living event in Holloway

    News -

    Attendees were able to access help on a range support services as well as lunch being available for all.

  9. Choose the right NHS service for you and your family

    News -

    The Royal College of Nursing has announced that members will take strike action from Sunday 30 April to Monday 1 May 2023.

  10. Over 200 local people share feedback on GP appointments with Healthwatch Islington

    News -

    We spoke to 212 residents from communities that experience health inequalities. Over half found the booking process difficult. Many struggled to get through by phone and it was hard to get a face-to-face appointment.

  11. Residents rate pharmacy services highly and see them as the easiest health services to access

    News -

    Many of the people we spoke to wanted to see pharmacies offering more preventative and diagnostic services. Health checks, blood tests, and cholesterol tests were services people said they could access more easily at a pharmacy.

  12. Visibility is important in making LGBTQI+ residents feel welcome across services

    News -

    We listened to feedback from LGBTQI+ residents on a wide range of services including healthcare, social care, mental health support, and housing.

  13. Residents give feedback on support services for stopping smoking

    News -

    We spoke to 65 residents from communities experiencing health inequalities. All were smokers or ex-smokers. Few had taken up the offer of support to give up.

  14. Improving the messaging on GP phone lines and websites

    News -

    GP websites can be hard to navigate and present many barriers to patients who are not confident online. We've been working with residents and commissioners to make things better.

  15. How Healthwatch is helping increase uptake of cancer screening services

    News -

    In Islington, participation in bowel, breast, and cervical cancer screening programmes is below the national and the London average.

  16. If you could change just one thing about health and care services, what would it be?

    News -

    Our staff and volunteers have been putting that question to shoppers at Chapel Market and partygoers at the Caledonian Road street festival.

  17. Building partnerships

    News -

    Celebrating ten years of Healthwatch Islington

  18. Volunteering

    News -

    Celebrating ten years of Healthwatch Islington

  19. Have your say on eye surgery proposals for North Central London

    News -

    Have you recently received eye surgery services or are you going through the process now? The NHS in North Central London is seeking feedback on proposed changes to where some patients have planned eye surgery.

  20. Mental health

    News -

    Celebrating ten years of Healthwatch Islington

  21. Providing advice and information

    News -

    Celebrating ten years of Healthwatch Islington

  22. Healthwatch celebrates ten years of work to improve health and care services in Islington

    News -

    Our tenth birthday celebration gave us the chance to say thank you to all the volunteers, partner organisations, and residents who have been key to our success.

  23. The work of our digital champions is commended at awards ceremony

    News -

    Our team of volunteer digital champions have been recognised again for the fantastic job they do.

  24. We'd like to hear from people using home care services

    News -

    We can point you in the right direction if you need help accessing other health or care services. We'd also like to hear your views on the care you receive at home.

  25. If I could change just one thing about health and care, this is what it would be

    News -

    Local people share their key concerns about health and care services today

  26. Our plans for 2024

    News -

    A quick heads-up on eight of our key projects for this year.

  27. Healthwatch tackles high blood pressure

    News -

    We helped over 1,300 people improve their understanding of hypertension and identified over 130 people with undiagnosed hypertension, whom we were able to point in the direction of their GP or community pharmacy for further tests.

  28. What are your expectations for your annual health review?

    News -

    We asked over 500 residents with long-term health conditions what they wanted from their yearly check-ups

  29. Our best practice coordinator for carers engagement gets to work

    News -

    We'll be supporting the North Central London Mental Health Trust to learn from best practices across the region to improve the experience of carers

  30. Islington residents share feedback on how their health conditions affect their activity levels

    News -

    We asked over 500 residents with long-term conditions about their patterns of physical activity and exercise and how this was affected by their health.

  31. Conversations with GPs can give patients with health conditions confidence to increase physical exercise

    News -

    Residents with long-term health conditions tell us that the opportunity to speak directly to a health professional can give them the confidence they need to increase their levels of physical activity safely.

  32. Supporting the uptake of cervical screening within our Somali and Turkish speaking communities

    News -

    Somali and Turkish women have a higher refusal rate for cervical screening than the Islington average. Our project has enabled women to have one-to-one conversations about screening with cancer champions in their first language.

  33. Who can use your confidential patient information?

    Advice and Information -

    Confidential patient information identifies you and says something about your health, care or treatment. You would expect this information to be kept private.

  34. How to complain about health services in Islington

    Advice and Information -

    Who you need to contact when you want to complain about a health service.

  35. Care homes: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    Choosing a care home can be daunting and it's important to have the right information. Find out more about your rights and how to complain if you are not happy.

  36. Dementia services for Islington

    Advice and Information -

    Support available in Islington for residents with dementia, or with concerns about their memory.

  37. Stroke services for Islington

    Advice and Information -

    Support available in Islington for residents recovering from a stroke, and for their family members and carers.

  38. Seven pieces of information that you should expect to receive after being diagnosed with dementia

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's (NICE) quick guide to discussing and planning support following a dementia diagnosis.

  39. What should you expect when it comes to care for your teeth?

    Advice and Information -

    Four questions staff should ask you or a loved one about your oral health if you’re a care home resident, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence quick guide.

  40. Six ways health services can improve waiting rooms

    Advice and Information -

    Here are six steps that people have told us health and social care services can take to provide a better environment while they wait.

  41. Social prescribing and navigation services

    Advice and Information -

    Social prescribing is a means by which people can access non-clinical activities designed to support health and wellbeing.

  42. 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.

  43. How can you find an NHS dentist?

    Advice and Information -

    Are you having trouble finding an NHS funded dentist? Read our tips on what to do if you’re facing problems.

  44. 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.