1. News -

    On 11 March 2025, we hosted a dynamic and engaging conference at the College Court Conference Centre, bringing together 83 delegates from local community groups, healthcare professionals and members of the public.

    Themed “Speak Up, Be Heard,” the event provided an opportunity for open discussions on health and care services, ensuring that community voices help shape local priorities.
  2. News -

    Healthwatch Leicester and Healthwatch Leicestershire is proud to announce the release of a new insight report based on our recent “Coffee, Chai, and Chat” group sessions. The report brings forward the often unheard voices of ethnic communities across Leicester and Leicestershire, including Punjabi, Bangladeshi, Gujarati, and Pakistani communities, encompassing both men and women.
  3. News -

    Children and young people’s mental health is a priority focus area for local Healthwatch.
    Healthwatch Leicester, Healthwatch Leicestershire and Healthwatch Rutland visited the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) – The Beacon Unit at Glenfield Hospital to gather young people’s views and experiences of the service provided and to observe the environment and operation of the facility.

  4. News -

    Changing the NHS is going to involve everyone. The government wants to hear people's views, experiences and ideas as part of this engagement to help shape the 10 Year Health Plan for England.

    Anyone aged 16 and over, living in England, can take part and it's important that everyone has a say and shares their views.
  5. News -

    The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB) today announced that preparation work for a Day Case Unit at Hinckley and District Hospital is set to begin in coming weeks.

    The Department of Health and Social Care has extended the spend date of the allocated funding for the new Day Case Unit until March 2026, to enable its delivery. The total cost of the new facility is £10.5million.
  6. News -

    Healthwatch Leicester, Healthwatch Leicestershire and Healthwatch Rutland recently visited the Children’s Emergency Department (ED) at Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI). This visit was part of a series looking at urgent and emergency care services.
  7. News -

    Roving Healthcare Units are used for NHS walk -in services across the region. Please see the updated schedule for the roving healthcare unit, offering walk-in COVID, flu, RSV, pertussis and MMR vaccinations to anyone who is eligible.
  8. News -

    Have your say on the provision of pharmacies and pharmacy services in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

    Every 3 years, pharmaceutical needs assessments (PNAs) are carried out around the country to make sure that local community pharmacies (chemist shops) are meeting the pharmaceutical needs of local people.
  9. News -

    Read the update from Healthwatch Leicester and Healthwatch Leicestershire Advisory Board meeting which took place on 23rd January 2024.
  10. News -

    Read the update from Healthwatch Leicester and Healthwatch Leicestershire Advisory Board meeting which took place on 26th March 2024.
  11. News -

    Read the update from Healthwatch Leicester and Healthwatch Leicestershire Advisory Board meeting which took place on 30th April 2024.
  12. News -

    Be a voice for your community in shaping local health and social care services. As a Board Member, you’ll help guide strategy, engage stakeholders, and ensure services meet local needs. If you have leadership, collaboration, and a passion for improving care, we want you on our team! This flexible volunteer role requires up to 16 hours a month. Apply now and make an impact!

    Healthwatch is the consumer champion for people who use health and social care services, ensuring that communities are engaged, listened to and provided with an avenue to tell us their views and opinions.
  13. News -

    New research highlights ADHD diagnosis can change people’s lives, giving them a better understanding of themselves, improving their wellbeing, self-esteem, and concentration at work.
  14. News -

    Healthwatch Leicester and Healthwatch Leicestershire are inviting members of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community to share their experiences of accessing local health and social care services. We want to hear your voice.

    It’s been over a decade since our last major engagement with the Deaf community, when we published a joint report in partnership with the Leicester Deaf Forum and British Deaf Association in 2014. Since then, health and care services have undergone significant changes and now, more than ever, we need to understand the current challenges and opportunities for Deaf people in our area.
  15. Advice and Information -

    People have told us they can have problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register.
  16. Advice and Information -

    Health issues unfortunately don't leave us alone at the weekend and people are often in need of medical assistance out of hours. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.
  17. Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.
  18. Advice and Information -

    Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving.
  19. Advice and Information -

    If you are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who might be, find out where you can go for advice and help.
  20. Advice and Information -

    Many people who provide unpaid care are unaware of their rights. Find out more about the help and support you are entitled to.
  21. Advice and Information -

    The wait for planned medical care or surgery can be frustrating. That’s why you must get regular and accessible updates while you wait.
  22. Advice and Information -

    Your mental wellness is as important as your physical health but seeking help can be daunting. Here's what to expect when you seek support for your mental health.
  23. 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.
  24. Advice and Information -

    Mental health problems are more common among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) 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.
  25. Advice and Information -

    Confused about Long Covid? Find out the common symptoms and how to get support.
  26. Advice and Information -

    Do you know about your rights to language support in NHS settings?
  27. Advice and Information -

    Are you having trouble finding an NHS funded dentist? Read our tips on what to do if you’re facing problems.
  28. Advice and Information -

    Are you struggling to find an NHS dentist? The new dental recovery plan might help you get the dental care you need.
  29. Advice and Information -

    The new Pharmacy First scheme enables your local pharmacy to treat some common conditions with prescription-only medicines, without you visiting your GP. Find out everything you need to know.
  30. Advice and Information -

    From 31 October 2023, GP surgeries must give patients online access to their new health record entries. Find out what information is in your record and how to access it.
  31. Advice and Information -

    Did you know you can choose which hospital you go to when referred for a test, diagnosis, or treatment? Find out how.
  32. Advice and Information -

    NHS social prescribing link workers can connect you to the right community groups and services to help support you.
  33. Advice and Information -

    The usual processes the NHS follows to discharge you from hospital have changed since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s what you can expect when it’s time to leave hospital.
  34. Advice and Information -

    The cost of living crisis has put many people under financial strain, and prescription costs are more than some can afford. Find out what help is out there to help you cover the cost of your medication.
  35. Advice and Information -

    Information and advice if you have a dental emergency or you wish to register with an NHS dentist.
  36. Advice and Information -

    Require out of hours support?
    If you have an urgent but not-life-threatening medical need, visit NHS 111 online or call 111 first rather than going straight to the Emergency Department.
  37. Advice and Information -

    Information about services across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland that provide support for your mental health and wellbeing.
  38. Advice and Information -

    Our role in safeguarding

    Local Healthwatch has a key part to play in sharing the public’s experience of health and social care services. This includes any suspected cases of abuse or neglect, or failure to safeguard. It is important for Healthwatch to have a clear policy for staff and volunteers about what action to take if they suspect someone is in danger of abuse or they feel safeguarding procedures are inadequate. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, if they feel a vulnerable adult or child is in danger of abuse or neglect, to report it to the relevant Authority.
  39. Advice and Information -

    Read the Code of Conduct policy.
  40. Advice and Information -

    Read the Complaints policy.
  41. Advice and Information -

    Read the Conflict of Interest policy.
  42. Advice and Information -

    Read the Data Protection Policy.
  43. Advice and Information -

    Read the Decision Making Policy.
  44. Advice and Information -

    Read the Easy Read version of the Complaints Policy And Procedure.
  45. Advice and Information -

    Read the Easy Read version of Decision Making Guidance.
  46. Advice and Information -

    Read the Record Keeping and Retention Policy.
  47. Advice and Information -

    Information about services across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland that provide support for children and young people.
  48. Advice and Information -

    The Accessible Information Standard is mandatory for all organisations that provide National Health Service (NHS) or adult social care.