News and reports

Patients in England can now get treatment for seven common conditions at their high street pharmacy without needing to see a GP.

It is your right to have a trained interpreter to support you at each GP or hospital appointment. It is the responsibility of your healthcare provider (GP or hospital) to book an interpreter for you.

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.

Flu and Covid-19 can be life-threatening and spread more easily in winter when we are crowded together inside.

The government published a Women’s Health Strategy in 2022. One of the strategies commitments is to examine the effectiveness of a national campaign to encourage more women to take up cervical screening tests. Some national women’s health charities have found that uptake can be lower in minority ethnic women, or there can be specific barriers for women with disabilities.

Doctors in north east London are reminding people that choosing the right place for medical help over the Christmas holidays can help them get the treatment they need faster.

Healthwatch Redbridge is offering fully funded* courses to staff and volunteers within the NHS, and community and voluntary sector in Redbridge.

Healthwatch England, the national body who oversee local Healthwatch, developed a survey to understand how the rising cost-of-living is having an impact on people’s physical and mental health and whether it is affecting their ability to access health and social care and maintain a healthy life.

We used an amended version of this survey to find out people’s experiences in Redbridge.

Healthwatch Redbridge have launched a new survey on Health Inequalities. Health inequalities are unfair and avoidable differences in health across the population, and between different groups within society. These include how long people are likely to live, the health conditions they may experience and the care that is available to them.

New online peer support network launches for working disabled people and those with lived experience of mental ill health.

On 10th October, we held our second Healthwatch Redbridge Community Network Fair. The Fair was held at Redbridge Institute who provided the venue and supported our event. The Fair was a great success with over 220 people participating.

Healthwatch Redbridge was asked to support north east London Integrated Care System (NHS NEL) to listen to and involve diverse communities in responding to their ‘Big Conversation’.