1. Accessible information from NHS services: what you should expect

    Advice and Information -

    The Accessible Information Standard is mandatory for all organisations that provide NHS or adult social care. Here’s some key information about the accessible communications you should expect from services.

  2. Vaginal HRT could be available without prescription

    News -

    Millions of women in the UK go through the menopause each year, with the majority experiencing 'symptoms that can be severe and have a negative impact on everyday life'.

  3. 'I am different, not less.' Experiences of CAMHS and mental health support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Milton Keynes

    Report -

    We joined forces with Parents and Carers Alliance MK (PACA MK) to investigate the experiences of families using CAMHS and Mental Health support for children and young people with autism and special educational needs.

  4. Mental health difficulties in children and young people: a toolkit for parents

    Advice and Information -

    No parent wants to see their child suffer. Like their physical health, our children’s mental health can change over time, and any child or young person can experience mental health difficulties.

  5. Your Care, Your Way: healthcare information that works for you

    News -

    Everyone should be given healthcare information in the way they need it. Clear, understandable information is important to help you make decisions about your health and care and get the most out of services.

  6. Your Care, Your Way: get involved in our campaign

    News -

    So you can take part in our campaign Your Care, Your Way, we have created our survey in several alternative formats, including Easy Read.

  7. Accessible Information Standard – findings from our Freedom of Information requests

    News -

    Between September and November 2021, Healthwatch England submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to over 200 National Health Service (NHS) provider trusts to gather details on compliance with the Accessible Information Standard.

  8. Accessible Information Standard – Healthwatch recommendations

    News -

    As part of the Healthwatch 'Your Care, Your Way' campaign, we have set out five headline recommendations to help health and care services ensure that people who have communication needs are given their healthcare information in the way they need it.

  9. Many NHS Trusts not supporting equal access to care for deaf and blind people

    News -

    New research shows that many NHS trusts are not meeting their legal duty to help people with additional communication needs.

  10. Lost for words – improving access to healthcare for ethnic minority communities

    Report -

    People with little or no English struggle at all points of their healthcare journey. New Healthwatch research shines a light on barriers and delays to care they often experience and calls for equal access for all.

  11. Perceptions of Health Inequalities in Milton Keynes

    Report -

    When people talk about access to health or care services being a ‘postcode lottery’, they are really describing inequality.

  12. Lack of NHS dental appointments widens health inequalities

    News -

    A new survey of public attitudes to NHS dentistry shows that half of the adults in England find dental charges unfair amid escalating living costs. We have warned decision-makers that NHS dentistry is in desperate need of reform.

  13. Does the NHS have to provide an interpreter if you need one?

    Advice and Information -

    Do you know about your rights to language support when you're in an NHS setting?

  14. Climate change, health inequalities and a greener NHS

    Blog -

    On the day that Milton Keynes could finally call itself ‘officially’ a city, Deputy CEO Tracy Keech and I attended a Climate Change and Health Inequalities conference at the Hotel La Tour in Central Milton Keynes.

  15. NHS acts on your feedback to improve dental care

    Response -

    Thanks to you, the NHS 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 our response.

  16. How to access mental health support if you're lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender

    Advice and Information -

    Mental health problems are more common among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) 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.

  17. First Women's Health Strategy in England to tackle 'gender health gap'

    News -

    Women and girls across England will hopefully benefit from improved healthcare following the publication of the first ever government-led Women’s Health Strategy for England today.

  18. Disabled people report being blocked from NHS care due to poor communications

    News -

    Deep-dive analysis of people's experiences of healthcare communication is a stark reminder of why NHS England and the 42 new Integrated Care Systems need to ensure services abide by the Accessible Information Standard.

  19. Cost of living crisis winter plan from Milton Keynes City Council

    News -

    More than 10,000 children living in Milton Keynes experience the daily burden of poverty*.