Network news

Find out how Healthwatch can use their links into every community in England to carry out expert, independent engagement and research on your behalf.

In this new blog, Gavin Macgregor, Head of Network Development, talks about Healthwatch England's role in gauging the effectiveness of Healthwatch and the strides we have made in improving impact reporting across the network.

We want to make sure we help you capture and describe the many outcomes you achieve, whatever form they take.

Impact Programme Manager Jon Turner gives an update on this area of work and the next steps in creating resources for you to use.

As this year's conference approaches, our Chief Executive, Louise Ansari, has been reflecting on our vital conversations about our future over the past year.

Find out the critical ingredients for developing communications strategy and access our communications strategy template.

Use this communications toolkit to support our new campaign to understand the healthcare experiences of trans and non-binary people.

This toolkit has resources to help you market your services, gather care experiences and share advice and information this winter, including messaging, social media ideas, graphics and templates.

Help people stay well and get the most out of health and care services this winter by sharing relevant and timely advice and information on your channels.

Since the Government established the Healthwatch network, we have proven our value. Our advice and insight have made a positive difference to the public and services, and as a result, demand for our help has risen.

However, funding for our work has not kept pace. The collective budget is just 43% of 2013-14 levels, and some local Healthwatch services are barely viable.

Healthwatch England Committee Member Jane Laughton (pictured at a previous Healthwatch National Conference) reflects on the challenges she faced as a local Healthwatch leader, and why change is needed when it comes to how we are funded and commissioned.

Current Healthwatch campaigns and communications activity