1. Recognition for our approach to volunteering

    News -

    Healthwatch Islington has achieved the Investing in Volunteers Quality Standard for good practice in volunteer management.

  2. Islington Reablement Service

    Report -

    The reablement service supports people to regain independence following a period of ill-health, usually involving a stay in hospital.

  3. What you've told us about the reablement service

    News -

    We carried out phone interviews with 29 people to find out if they thought reablement had worked for them.

  4. What is the future of adult social care?

    News -

    The social care system is under huge pressure. What does the future hold?

  5. How well do local health and care services support the needs of people with autism?

    Report -

    Throughout the Autumn of 2016 we spoke with Islington residents with Autism Spectrum Condition, and with their families.

  6. Phoning Adult Social Services

    Report -

    People told us it was too hard to reach social workers by phone. We decided to help the service to improve.

  7. Home care

    Report -

    Stories from service users in Islington

  8. Access to primary care and social care services for Latin American Over 50s

    Report -

    We worked with the Latin American Women's Rights Service (LAWRS) and the Coalition of Latin Americans in the UK (CLAUK) to gather views from Islington residents

  9. Experiences of Integrated Care

    Report -

    Gathering views on Multi-Disciplinary Team pilots

  10. Social care and disability - then and now

    Blog -

    A new blog about the experience of care services from the perspective of a long time Islington resident with disability

  11. Social care and disability - then and now

    Blog -

    A second blog about the experience of care services from the perspective of a long time Islington resident with disability

  12. Meaningful activities in care homes and nursing homes in Islington

    Report -

    Our Enter and View volunteers have visited six care homes and nursing homes across the borough. They spoke to residents, their carers and relatives, and to staff.

  13. We asked residents, relatives and staff what they thought about the activities offered in local care homes

    News -

    Our volunteers have visited six care homes and nursing homes across the borough. They spoke to residents, their carers and relatives, and to staff.

  14. Improved social, emotional and mental health offer for children and young people

    News -

    Islington Clinical Commissioning Group and Islington Council announce the integration of social, emotional and mental health services for children and young people

  15. Our annual report 2019/20

    Report -

    Last year, we engaged with over 2300 residents. 650 people shared their stories about health and social care, and we made 25 recommendations to services about the improvements that people would like to see.

  16. Carers Survey 2021: Feedback from local residents with a caring role

    Report -

    During January and February 2021, we spoke to 44 carers over the phone about their experiences and the services with which they engage.

  17. What do carers need?

    News -

    We interviewed 44 unpaid/family carers over the phone. We asked them what extra support would make the biggest difference to their lives.

  18. Our annual report 2020-21

    Report -

    We engaged with and supported 2,189 residents with issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic this year. 781 people shared their experiences of health and social care.

  19. 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.

  20. Let's Talk Inequality - Healthwatch response

    Report -

    Healthwatch responds to the Islington Council's call for evidence, sharing examples of inequality that we have come across in our recent work.

  21. Our annual report 2021-2022

    Report -

    We engaged with over 2,200 residents, providing information, digital support, and gathering views on accessing health and care services, experiences of Long Covid, and the wider impact of the pandemic.

  22. 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.

  23. 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.

  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. What should you expect from home care services?

    Advice and Information -

    The number of people being cared for in their own homes is increasing but what should you expect from home care services?

  26. Pharmacy services in Islington

    Report -

    We surveyed 117 local residents to see if they were aware of additional services available from local pharmacies

  27. Black and minority ethnic groups accessing services in Islington 2016/17

    Report -

    207 local residents gave us their views on pharmacy, lifestyle and well-being, A&E, interpreting services, and GP referrals.

  28. Emergency department, general practice, or pharmacy services?

    Report -

    A number of people use hospital emergency departments when they could be seen by a GP or in their local pharmacy. What factors influence how we decide where we need to be seen?

  29. Black and minority ethnic groups accessing services in Islington 2015/16

    Report -

    Local residents gave us their views on hospital appointments and patient choice, GP services, and keeping fit and healthy.

  30. Islington Patient Group November 2019 supporting materials

    Report -

    Find materials for this meeting of the Islington Patient Group.

  31. Should I see a pharmacist instead of a doctor?

    Advice and Information -

    Avoid the wait at the GP and know when to visit your pharmacist instead. Look at how your pharmacist can help you.

  32. What are people telling us about e-consult?

    News -

    For patients who are comfortable using computers e-consult can be a convenient and user-friendly method of getting in contact with the GP surgery. For patients who struggle with or cannot use computers, e-consult can be a serious barrier to access.

  33. Winter Wellness fact sheet

    Report -

    Correct as of 26 January 2022

  34. What medical support are you entitled to if you’re new to the UK?

    Advice and Information -

    For new arrivals to the UK it can be confusing where to go if you need medical assistance. Here we outline your rights as a refugee, where you can access emergency help and how to register for a GP.

  35. Find out about high blood pressure

    Advice and Information -

    One in five people in Islington have high blood pressure but only half know that they do. Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart attack and stroke. The only way to find out whether you have high blood pressure is to get it measured.

  36. Spotlight on volunteering

    Blog -

    Jenni volunteers as a Health Champion. As Covid restrictions ease we are looking forward to getting back out into the community and speaking to local residents again.

  37. Healthwatch hypertension information campaign kicks off in style

    News -

    Our staff and volunteers have been offering free blood pressure tests and raising awareness of the dangers of high blood pressure at Callyfest and on Chapel Market.

  38. Mystery shopping the accessibility of Islington pharmacies

    Report -

    Healthwatch Islington volunteers and staff visited 40 Islington pharmacies. The aim of these visits was to observe the physical space of the pharmacy and comment on its accessibility.

  39. 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.

  40. Support for stopping smoking

    Advice and Information -

    Stop smoking services are free, friendly, and can massively boost your chances of quitting for good.

  41. Pharmacy services: discovering what's on offer in Islington

    Advice and Information -

    You might be surprised by the range of support that's available from your local pharmacy. Residents on low incomes who are classed as socially vulnerable can access free medicines for minor ailments.

  42. 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.

  43. 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.

  44. 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.

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

    Report -

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

  46. 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.

  47. 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.