News and reports

Between April and September 2024, Healthwatch Brighton and Hove (HWBH) staff and volunteers attended a range of different public events. We did this to speak directly with people face-to-face to hear their views about health and care services and to raise awareness of our work.

The CQC reviewed 141 units across the NHS and highlighted widespread issues with staffing, buildings, equipment and safety management processes. They warn that preventable harm is at risk of becoming 'normalised'.

Falls Prevention Awareness Week is a nationwide effort to raise awareness on preventing falls, reducing the risk of falls, and helping us all live without the fear of falling as we age.

The Brighton & Hove Safeguarding Adults Board (BHSAB) Annual Report for 2023/24 has been published with a message from their newly appointed Independent Chair, Seona Douglas.

Last week, the Department of Health and Social Care set out its guidance and priorities for winter 2024 - 2025 in Adult Social Care and NHS England set out similar guidance on urgent and emergency care.

In July and August 2024, Healthwatch Brighton and Hove conducted a survey for patients registered with Woodingdean Medical Practice.

Cervical screening, previously known as a smear test, saves over 4,000 lives every year in the UK. However, some people find it uncomfortable, so it's important to know what support is available and what adjustments you can request.

In August 2024, the three Healthwatch teams in Sussex sought your experiences of using eye care services. Read the results.

New research from Healthwatch calls for a more personalised approach to cervical screening to help the NHS meet its ambition to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.

Healthwatch England unpacks women's experiences of cervical screening and sets out recommendations for healthcare leaders. Earlier this year, Healthwatch Brighton and Hove captured local women's experiences to feed into this national report.

For the first time in its history, the NHS has started vaccinating people against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

Lord Darzi’s Independent Investigation of the NHS highlights the NHS's problems but presents a chance for change. Read the response from Healthwatch England.