Front and centre: Healthwatch England annual report 2023 – 2024
Last year, over 400,000 people shared their experiences of care with Healthwatch England nationally and locally. In their annual report, they show how stories like these have helped to:
- Influence reform
GPs and dental care are the two issues people talked about the most, and the primary care and dental care recovery plans reflect some of the recommendations Healthwatch have made.
Meanwhile, confusing waiting times standards for cancer care have been streamlined after people told us about long waits. And the NHS approved a plan to improve maternal mental health checks, an issue Healthwatch have done continuous work on since 2019.
- Highlight where change must happen
For the first time, Healthwatch England reported on the state of patients’ experiences across multiple key areas, showing barriers to timely care are impacting nearly every part of the system. They showed there is a serious risk of existing health inequalities becoming wider still, and of a two-tier system where care is available only to those who can afford it.
Healthwatch England also shared research into the impact of delayed care, and the importance of safe hospital discharge. And they launched a major campaign for social care reform, demonstrating the level of unmet need among people for whom this support could be life-changing.
- Show the way forward
In this report, Healthwatch England set out their vision for the NHS in 2030, based on what people have told them about their experiences. It describes an NHS that gives those using it more power – an NHS that’s accessible, affordable, and that puts patients at its heart.
Healthwatch England also share how, with greater resources that ensure every local Healthwatch can reach every part of their community, the Healthwatch network can better support that vision.
Throughout this report, you can read just some of the stories that help Healthwatch understand the struggles people face when it comes to their care, and how things can be better.
