1. Recorded messages and the experience of phoning the GP surgery

    Report -

    During November and early December 2022, Healthwatch volunteers and staff phoned 33 Islington practices. They noted the length of the recorded messages and the information that was shared.

  2. 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.

  3. Our advice and information service will go the extra mile for more vulnerable residents

    Blog -

    Our advice and information worker wrote nearly 30 emails and made over 40 phone calls to get Paul the support to which he was entitled.

  4. What is Evidence Islington?

    Page -

    Evidence Islington will work with local residents to better understand how the places we live affect our health.

  5. Face-to-face digital support session

    Event -

  6. Face-to-face digital support session

    Event -

  7. Staying safe online

    Event -

  8. Managing your digital footprint

    Event -

  9. 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.

  10. Residents from communities experiencing health inequalities share feedback on health services

    Report -

    We asked people about their experiences of seeing a GP, using pharmacy services and getting treatment for Long Covid.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. Evidence Islington co-design group meeting

    Event -

  14. Evidence Islington co-design group meeting

    Event -

  15. Evidence Islington co-design group meeting

    Event -

  16. Evidence Islington co-design group meeting

    Event -

  17. Evidence Islington co-design group meeting

    Event -

  18. 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.

  19. Learn about the new commissioning structures in health and care

    Advice and Information -

    Following several years of locally-led development, Integrated Care Systems were established across England on a statutory basis on 1 July 2022

  20. The experiences of LGBTQI+ residents when accessing Islington services including health, care and housing

    Report -

    LGBTQI+ residents shared their experiences of accessing health, mental health, social care, and housing services.

  21. 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.

  22. Residents from communities experiencing health inequalities share feedback on cancer screening services

    Report -

    We asked people about their experiences of cervical screening, bowel cancer screening, and breast screening services.

  23. Feedback on smoking cessation and pulmonary rehabilitation services in Islington

    Report -

    We spoke to 98 smokers and ex-smokers from communities experiencing health inequalities.

  24. How can you save money on your Hormone Replacement Therapy?

    Advice and Information -

    A new scheme could see women across England save hundreds of pounds yearly on their Hormone Replacement Therapy with a prepayment certificate.

  25. 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.

  26. Summary of analysis of Islington General Practice websites

    Report -

    Our analysis of GP websites in January 2023

  27. Celebrating the work of Healthwatch with diverse communities.

    Blog -

    Yussuf Ahmed is the Coordinator at Islington Somali Community, an organisation belonging to our Diverse Communities Health Voice partnership. In this guest blog, Yussuf talks about the benefits of the collaboration.

  28. Meet Julia

    Blog -

    Julia volunteers for Healthwatch as a Health Champion and as a Digital Champion. Here she talks about why she volunteers and how she benefits.

  29. Healthwatch Week

    Event -

  30. 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.

  31. 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.

  32. Our annual report 2022-2023

    Report -

    It's been a great year of growth for Healthwatch Islington. We are the independent champion for people who use health and social care services in the borough.

  33. How to access mental health support if you have gender, sexuality or relationship diversity

    Advice and Information -

    Mental health problems are more common among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people. If you are struggling, feel alone or need a little help, then check out our guide on how you can get the support you need.

  34. 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.

  35. How do I get a fit note?

    Advice and Information -

    Since July 2022, nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists have been able to legally certify and issue a statement of fitness for work, informally known as a ‘fit note’. Previously only GPs or hospital doctors could issue fit notes. Find out what a fit note is, when you might need one and how to go about getting one.

  36. Registering with your GP: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    Sometimes we help residents who are finding it difficult to register with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register.

  37. 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.

  38. Healthwatch Islington 10 year celebration and Annual General Meeting

    Event -

  39. Face-to-face digital support session

    Event -

  40. Face-to-face digital support session

    Event -

  41. Face-to-face digital support session

    Event -

  42. Face-to-face digital support session

    Event -

  43. Face-to-face digital support session

    Event -

  44. Face-to-face digital support session

    Event -

  45. Managing your digital footprint

    Event -

  46. Accessing and using LinkedIn

    Event -

  47. Accessing and using FREE online training platforms

    Event -

  48. 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.