Healthwatch Hertfordshire

Healthwatch Hertfordshire We are Hertfordshire's independent health and social care champion. We’re Hertfordshire's independent health and social care champion.

We make sure NHS leaders and other decision-makers hear your voice and use your feedback to improve care. If you use GPs and hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, care homes or other support services, we want to hear from you. We listen to your needs, experiences and concerns about local health and social care services, so we can speak out on your behalf. We gather your feedback through high-quality re

search and engagement and by inviting you to share your experiences. Our aim is to get services right for the future and ensure your worries and concerns about current services are addressed. We want to make sure those in charge put you at the heart of care and, if local needs are not being met, we have statutory powers to hold the system to account. We can also help if you have a question about health or social care services, but aren’t sure where to go to find the answer. Our experienced signposting team can help – whether you need to know how to make a complaint, how to access a service, or would like to give feedback. You can be confident that we are entirely independent and impartial and anything you share with us is confidential. We can only do our job with your help.

Do you help someone who has (or had) cancer? Do you have cancer and have someone who helps you? It could be help around...
02/09/2026

Do you help someone who has (or had) cancer? Do you have cancer and have someone who helps you?

It could be help around the house, with shopping, appointments, money or medications, or any other practical support.

Taking part in this survey will help improve future carer’s support.

Every response matters. https://bit.ly/4pMZJ3Y

🧬 What does the public think about using genomic data for health research? 🧬 Local Healthwatch organisations across the ...
31/08/2026

🧬 What does the public think about using genomic data for health research? 🧬

Local Healthwatch organisations across the East of England have spoken to 85 patients and members of the public about the use of genomic data within the Eastern England Secure Data Environment.

The overall message was clear: people see the potential of genomic research, but public trust must remain at its heart.

Read our post here: https://buff.ly/9VVd6i7

In our own focus groups, key themes included:

🔹 Limited awareness of existing data-sharing arrangements: Participants had little knowledge of current non-consent-based NHS data sharing with Secure Data Environments. This highlights the need for clearer communication about existing arrangements before expanding data sharing to genomic information.
🔹 Strong support for genomic testing and research: Participants recognised genomic testing and research as an important and exciting opportunity to improve health, medicine and patient outcomes.
🔹 Greater transparency and communication: Information about genomic data sharing, genomic testing and health data use should be clearer, more visible and accessible, particularly for people whose data may be used.
🔹 Preference for consent: Consent was an important issue for participants, with many preferring a mechanism to gain consent before their genomic data is shared with a Secure Data Environment.
🔹 Clear public benefit: Participants felt that research using genomic data should demonstrate a clear benefit to the public and/or to the people whose data is being used.

👉 Read the full report and find out more about what people told us: https://buff.ly/s3M0eo8

💬 Having issues with your GP practice and not sure where to turn? You're not alone — and we're here to help.Since the pa...
29/08/2026

💬 Having issues with your GP practice and not sure where to turn? You're not alone — and we're here to help.

Since the pandemic, the way GP surgeries communicate with patients has changed, and it can be confusing to know who to speak to or what steps to take.

🧭 Our advice page can guide you through what to do next:

👉 https://buff.ly/5VT4SmX

🧬 What does the public think about using genomic data for health research? 🧬 Local Healthwatch organisations across the ...
24/08/2026

🧬 What does the public think about using genomic data for health research? 🧬

Local Healthwatch organisations across the East of England have spoken to 85 patients and members of the public about the use of genomic data within the Eastern England Secure Data Environment.

The findings show strong support for genomic research — particularly its potential to improve outcomes for cancer and rare diseases and drive medical breakthroughs.

But that support depends on trust, security and transparency.

People told us they want:
🔹 Clear information about how genomic data is used and who can access it
🔹 Strong safeguards to protect sensitive information
🔹 Clear, accessible information about consent and opting out
🔹 Communication through trusted NHS channels
🔹 Greater public involvement in decisions about genomic research

The message is clear: people see the potential of genomic research, but public trust must remain at its heart.

👉 Read the full report and find out more about what people told us:https://healthwatchnorfolk.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Genomic-Data-project-Final-Report-2-May-26-1.pdf

📰 Stay Informed – Subscribe to Our Free Newsletter!Want to stay up to date with local health news, research, practical a...
20/08/2026

📰 Stay Informed – Subscribe to Our Free Newsletter!

Want to stay up to date with local health news, research, practical advice, and how we’re working to improve care in Hertfordshire? Sign up to our free newsletter and get all this – plus opportunities to have your say and help shape health and social care services in your community.

📧 Our newsletter is sent by email, but we also offer a paper version for those without digital access.

➡️ Sign up here: https://buff.ly/Dx1Ia6o

Today, on World Humanitarian Day, we recognise the people working every day to support communities affected by conflict,...
19/08/2026

Today, on World Humanitarian Day, we recognise the people working every day to support communities affected by conflict, crisis and displacement (https://buff.ly/xDHhco6).

At Healthwatch Hertfordshire, we're committed to making sure everyone's voice is heard when it comes to health and care – including those who have sought safety here.

Our recent Lost in the System report highlighted the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers in Hertfordshire, revealing barriers such as navigating the NHS, language and communication challenges, poor emotional wellbeing, and difficulties accessing the support they're entitled to. By listening to people with lived experience, we made recommendations to help create more accessible, compassionate and equitable health and care services.

World Humanitarian Day reminds us that humanity starts with listening. Together, we can help build a health and care system where everyone feels informed, supported and able to access the care they need.

Read our report: https://buff.ly/FqH0kDN

🧭 Need Help Finding the Right Health or Social Care Support?We know the health and social care system can be confusing. ...
13/08/2026

🧭 Need Help Finding the Right Health or Social Care Support?

We know the health and social care system can be confusing. That’s why Healthwatch Hertfordshire offers a free signposting service – helping you find the right person, place, or organisation to get the support you need.
Whether you're wondering:

✔️ Can I choose where my GP refers me?
✔️ How do I arrange care for a family member at home?
✔️ How do I make a complaint about poor treatment or care?

We're here to guide you.

📋 Just fill in our quick Signposting Feedback Form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can:

👉 https://buff.ly/ehdRYox

🌳 Every child deserves the chance to thrive outdoors.Today is international youth day, and we'd like to share our latest...
12/08/2026

🌳 Every child deserves the chance to thrive outdoors.

Today is international youth day, and we'd like to share our latest case study in our From conversations to change: Young people on health and social care.

This time we've taken a look at the health benefits of outdoor activities for young people.

For one Hertfordshire parent, outdoor activities run by local charity CHEX have made a real difference to their child’s confidence, anxiety and mental health.

“I have seen a big change in them over the last several months… the outdoor activities have had a positive impact on their mental health.”

And young people themselves are telling us how valuable time outdoors can be:

“Being outside makes me feel normal… it makes me feel happy.”

Outdoor activities can give children a much-needed break from classroom pressures and screen time, while helping them become more active, calmer and connected to nature.

But access isn’t equal. 48% of children and young people in Hertfordshire—around 85,000—aren’t currently meeting recommended physical activity levels.

That’s why we need to keep investing in:
🌿 Regular, local outdoor programmes
🌳 Better access to green spaces
💚 Inclusive activities for children with SEND and mental health needs
🤝 Community-led opportunities
🗣️ Children and young people having a say in the spaces and activities designed for them

Every child should have the opportunity to benefit from being outdoors, regardless of where they live or their circumstances.

Aged care residents told us they wanted to keep feeling socially connected, while maintaining privacy and dignity. They ...
10/08/2026

Aged care residents told us they wanted to keep feeling socially connected, while maintaining privacy and dignity. They said the ability to continue making choices for themselves was paramount.

Following visits to three local homes, our Resident Voices in Residential Care Homes Report highlighted how important it is to listen to the voices of adults living in care homes, so they remain at the heart of decisions.

Read more here: https://buff.ly/dpCgdLl

Healthwatch England Hertfordshire County Council Age UK Hertfordshire Hertfordshire Health and Wellbeing

Address

London Road
Stevenage
SG12NG

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Healthwatch Hertfordshire posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share