1. News -

    Nominated against tough competition from across England in the 'Engagement in Service Improvement' category, we came out top for our work improving the quality of care in local nursing and residential care homes.
  2. News -

    Back in 2015 we found that complaints procedures at the IW NHS Trust needed large scale improvements. This mirrored the findings of the Care Quality Commission in 2014.
  3. News -

    We have been contacted by numerous people with concerns about the future of Childrens Autism diagnostic services.
  4. News -

    An Isle of Wight film produced by Utility Films and Healthwatch Isle of Wight in collaboration with people with a learning disability will be presented at the Royal Society of Medicine Conference on the 20th November.
  5. News -

    Our Empowering Engagement event that we hosted in March is the first of its kind on the Island.
  6. News -

    Do you need to see a healthcare professional but struggle to attend during the day?
  7. Report -

    This visit was arranged as part of an ongoing mental health work plan. The visit was designed to
    look at experiences of people who spend time as inpatients on local mental health wards
    either voluntarily or under sections of the Mental Health Act.
  8. News -

    In January 2019, our enter and view authorised representatives visited all inpatient mental health wards at the IOW NHS Trust as part of our focused work on mental health.
  9. Report -

    2018-2019 has been no less challenging than previous ones and for the same fundamental reasons of increasing demand and inadequate resources; physical and financial.
  10. Advice and Information -

    Primary care is changing. You may have heard the term Primary Care Network recently and be unsure what this means. Healthwatch Isle of Wight have created a patient guide to Primary Care Networks to explain what changes this may mean for you.
  11. Response -

    We are delighted that the government has announced that the IOW NHS Trust will be receiving £48m to improve acute services. We know that Island residents value local services and want to be treated here on the Island.
  12. Advice and Information -

    Are you looking to register with a GP?
    Below is a list of all the practices on the Isle of Wight
  13. Report -

    What is extended access?
    Extended access is the offer of pre-bookable appointments outside of the surgery’s core contractual hours. This could be either in the early morning, evening or at weekends.
  14. Advice and Information -

    Are you worried about self-harm in a child or young person? The Isle of Wight Council have created a resource to highlight the support services that are available.
  15. Report -

    With a fast-moving response to COVID-19, real-time intelligence for services about the issues the public are facing is valuable.
  16. News -

    Local Healthwatch on the Isle of Wight, in Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton have launched a survey asking local people to share their stories on how accessing health and social care services is working for them during the coronavirus outbreak.
  17. Report -

    Healthwatch England commissioned the four Local Healthwatch organisations (Healthwatch Hampshire, Healthwatch Southampton, Healthwatch Portsmouth and Healthwatch Isle of Wight) to carry out a survey to understand people’s views of the Long Term Plan.
  18. Report -

    Medical appointments as we knew them have dramatically changed as a result of Covid-19.
  19. News -

    Help inform evaluations of cancer services in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
  20. Advice and Information -

    It can be difficult to admit even to yourself that your child's behaviour might be abusive. If you do have concerns the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner have created this resource to help you find the support you need.
  21. News -

    PLEASE NOTE THIS SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED Are you or someone you know, finding it difficult to get an NHS Dentist? Healthwatch Isle of Wight have launched a new survey to capture people’s experience of dental services.
  22. Report -

    2019-2020 was a challenging year in many ways. It was a year of consolidation and developing new priorities based upon what you were telling us, details of which are contained in this report.
  23. Report -

    Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this has been a difficult year for everyone including Healthwatch and our staff and volunteers.
  24. Report -

    In 2019, a number of people who had been affected by suicide,
    contacted Healthwatch Isle of Wight. We spoke to people who had
    attempted to take their own life and their families and also to the families of people who had taken their own life.
  25. Report -

    NHS dental services have been in the spotlight for a number of years throughout England and have recently received a lot of negative feedback. The main area of concern for people is a lack of access.
  26. Report -

    In the period 1st April 2020 – 31st March 2021, Healthwatch Isle of Wight received 1415 pieces of feedback regarding Health and Social care, directly linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  27. News -

    An Island-wide 'listening tour' gets underway this month encouraging people to talk about their mental health and wellbeing during the past 18 months.
  28. News -

    Healthwatch Isle of Wight is reaching out to Island communities to hear from people directly about their experiences of accessing primary care and would particularly like to hear about people’s recent experiences after June this year.
  29. Advice and Information -

    The Accessible Information Standard is mandatory for all organisations that provide National Health Service (NHS) or adult social care. Here's some key information about the accessible communications you should expect from services.
  30. Advice and Information -

    If you are looking for help from social services on the Isle of Wight, this directory explores:
    The different types of care services available;
    How to pay for your care;
    Staying independent at home;
    Support for carers.
  31. Report -

    Throughout this very difficult year we have continued listening to the
    experiences of islanders on the full range of health and social care services.
  32. Report -

    It has been generally accepted that during the Covid-19 pandemic there has been a gradual increase in the prevalence of mental health conditions, primarily anxiety & depression. The Local Government Association described this as a ‘silent pandemic'.
  33. Report -

    How people feel about waiting to access hospital care: Findings from a patient survey.
  34. News -

    Every year, Healthwatch Isle of Wight looks at five health and social care services/topics in depth, highlighting people’s experiences of this service, looking at what is working well and what needs to be improved.
  35. News -

    The rising cost of living is an issue that is likely to dominate the national policy debates for the next 18 months. We want to help decision-makers understand the impact on people's physical and mental health. We know that rising costs have a direct effect on people's wellbeing and would love to hear your thoughts and feedback on this.
  36. News -

    The health and social care landscape has changed a lot in ten years, but thanks to you taking the time to share your story with Healthwatch Isle of Wight, we've been able to champion your voice to help improve care.
  37. Report -

    Like many organisations, general practice needed to adapt quickly as our country went into lockdown and respond to new ways of working such as offering video and telephone consultations. Some people have told us that these new ways of accessing GP services have
    worked well for them, allowing them to save time and get the help they need, quickly. But for others it’s been more difficult, time consuming and frustrating trying to access support when they need it.
  38. Advice and Information -

    If you need to travel from the Isle of Wight to the mainland for an NHS-funded hospital appointment, you can get 50% off your ferry crossing with Wightlink.

    Call 0333 999 7333 to book, quoting 'Wightlink healthcare discount'.

    Full information and terms and conditions are available at www.wightlink.co.uk/nhsappointments
  39. News -

    The Lloyds pharmacy located in the Sainsbury supermarket in Newport is closing.
    Originally the closure was planned for the 25th July 2023. However, this has changed and the new closure date is 13th June 2023.
    Please remember to make alternative provisions for any prescriptions you may need in plenty of time.
  40. Response -

    This morning (Monday 22nd May 2023) Healthwatch Isle of Wight contacted the IOW NHS Trust following concerns raised by people about the future of Wellow ward.

    We were told that the ward will not be closing, it will be moved temporarily to another area of the hospital, but the same number of beds will be provided for people needing end of life care. There will still be a separate room available for family members to use.

    The services provided by staff on the ward are recognised and valued by the Trust and they will be announcing the new home for Wellow ward within St Mary hospital, within the coming weeks.

    We will be working closely with the Trust on this and will share any updates as and when we receive them.
  41. Advice and Information -

    Do you look after a family member, friend or friend who needs extra help due to an illness, frailty, disability, or mental health issue?
    If the answer is yes, you may be considered an unpaid carer.

    If your GP knows you are a carer they can provide you with support, advice & information.
    You are also entitled to a free flu jab.

    Psease see the toolkit below for information you may find useful as an unpaid carer.
  42. Report -

    Every year we ask people on the Isle of Wight to complete our prioritisation survey, the top three services/topics chosen by the public then become our priorities for the forthcoming year.
  43. Report -

    The last year has been difficult for everyone, including the providers of health and social care services, as the process of recovery after COVID developed.
  44. News -

    Public health and care champion Healthwatch Isle of Wight has a new name at the helm after eight years of dedicated service draws to a close for its former chairman.

    Bob Pitts, currently a Non-Executive Director at Healthwatch Isle of Wight has taken over the role of chairman from Chris Orchin who has held the post since 2015.
  45. Advice and Information -

    The Easter bank holiday is fast approaching. Please see below for the pharmacy opening times during this period.
  46. Advice and Information -

    A year ago the Accessible Information Standard came into force. It requires any organisation providing NHS or social care to communicate in a way that everybody can understand. Here's a reminder of what you should expect.
  47. Advice and Information -

    We know from our conversations with the public that some patients report feeling rushed during appointments and struggling to make themselves heard. Here are some tips that could help you get the most out of visiting your GP.
  48. 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?