Our workplan for 2025/26
In light of the June 2025 government announcement that Healthwatch is to be closed down, our workplan is subject to change. As we obtain more information about what this change means and any timescales involved, we will review our capacity to deliver projects.
This document is updated quarterly.
Healthwatch Brighton and Hove Workplan of Projects, April 2025 - March 2026
Projects are identified by Healthwatch using a range of sources including patient feedback, from the numerous meetings that we attend, from intelligence shared with us by partner organisations, from issues we know to be of interest to Healthwatch England and the Care Quality Commission (national focus), and from our other engagement activities. Decisions as to which projects we will take forward are made in line with our Decision Making & Prioritisation Policy and Engagement Plan.
We also deliver work with a pan-Sussex interest, in partnership with our colleagues in Healthwatch West and East Sussex. Our work involves collating feedback, investigating and escalating issues as appropriate, and issuing regular polls on a variety of topics.
Alongside detailed projects, Healthwatch will escalate issues where it receives intelligence to suggest there is a significant problem, and whether this can be delivered within our capacity and remit. Our escalation routes are varied and include to: the four Sussex Hospital Trust’s Senior Leadership Teams, the Care Quality Commission, Healthwatch England, our Integrated Care System, and the city’s Health and Wellbeing Board and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Areas of focus for 2025/26 include, but are not limited to:
- Primary care, including experiences of GP services amongst the trans, non-binary and intersex community.
- Hospital visits and reviews.
- Non-Emergency Patient Transport (NEPTS).
- Refugees and asylum seekers.
- Mental health and housing.
- Men's health.
- Climate and wellbeing.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure).
- Young people, including vaping amongst children with Special
Educational Needs.
We deliver projects in partnership and with the help and support of local voluntary and community groups and other organisations. You can read more about our work, volunteer roles, partnerships and the impacts we have made in our latest Annual Report covering the period April 2024 to March 2025. We will also regularly publish reports detailing our work and recommendations on our website.
