1. How well do local health and care services support the needs of people with autism?

    Report -

    Throughout the Autumn of 2016 we spoke with Islington residents with Autism Spectrum Condition, and with their families.

  2. What should you expect when it comes to care for your teeth?

    Advice and Information -

    Four questions staff should ask you or a loved one about your oral health if you’re a care home resident, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence quick guide.

  3. Six ways health services can improve waiting rooms

    Advice and Information -

    Here are six steps that people have told us health and social care services can take to provide a better environment while they wait.

  4. What makes for a good text reminder?

    News -

    Increasingly, health providers will text us a reminder ahead of our appointments to help us remember them. We like these reminders, but do we always get all the information we need?

  5. How can you find an NHS dentist?

    Advice and Information -

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

  6. Local care home residents are well supported with their oral health

    News -

    Our volunteers visited six local care homes, speaking to residents, relatives and staff. We also met with the Oral Health Promotion Team from Whittington Health.

  7. Oral health in Islington care homes

    Report -

    We visited six homes, speaking to 46 residents, 24 relatives and 31 staff. We wanted to see how residents were supported with their oral health and whether there was any room for improvement.

  8. How to get an NHS dentist appointment during COVID-19

    Advice and Information -

    Routine dental care has had to change because of COVID-19, with social distancing rules making it difficult to access services. Here’s some information on how to access an NHS dentist during the pandemic.

  9. Orthodontic treatment following the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic in England

    Report -

    NHS Patient Information Leaflet

  10. Dental services in Camden and Islington are prioritising patients with the highest need

    News -

    Most dental practices have to have up to one hour gaps between patients if they are providing treatments, to maintain a safe environment for patients and staff. This means that available appointments are in short supply.

  11. Our annual report 2020-21

    Report -

    We engaged with and supported 2,189 residents with issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic this year. 781 people shared their experiences of health and social care.

  12. Islington residents continue to experience difficulties accessing dental services

    Blog -

    Lack of access to NHS dental services is a big issue at the moment. Philippa Russell, our Community Link Worker, shares her thoughts.

  13. Share your experiences of accessing NHS dentistry

    News -

    How easy have you found it to find an NHS dentist, or to access NHS dental care?

  14. Local dentists and dental providers answer your questions about NHS dental services

    Advice and Information -

    Our September event gave residents a chance to put questions to dental professionals and share their experiences of services

  15. Islington care homes: experiences of accessing health services for residents

    Report -

    We asked care home managers about access to health services for their residents.

  16. Healthwatch hears from care home managers about services supporting the health of their residents

    News -

    As we come out of the pandemic, we asked care home managers how easy it was to get support for their residents from GPs, dentists, opticians, community health, and hospital transport services.

  17. Experiences of accessing NHS dental services since the pandemic

    Report -

    Many people have reported difficulties accessing NHS dental services in Islington since the pandemic.

  18. Patients with high levels of need have struggled to access dental treatment on the NHS

    News -

    Our latest report shares local people's experiences of trying to access NHS dentistry in Islington since the pandemic

  19. Patients who don't already have an NHS dentist are finding it harder to access treatment

    News -

    Our latest report shares local people's experiences of trying to access NHS dentistry in Islington since the pandemic

  20. Let's Talk Inequality

    Response -

    Islington is a borough of stark inequalities. We want to see services and support designed around the needs of those residents experiencing this inequality.

  21. Let's Talk Inequality - Healthwatch response

    Report -

    Healthwatch responds to the Islington Council's call for evidence, sharing examples of inequality that we have come across in our recent work.

  22. What medical support are you entitled to if you’re new to the UK?

    Advice and Information -

    For new arrivals to the UK it can be confusing where to go if you need medical assistance. Here we outline your rights as a refugee, where you can access emergency help and how to register for a GP.

  23. Our annual report 2021-2022

    Report -

    We engaged with over 2,200 residents, providing information, digital support, and gathering views on accessing health and care services, experiences of Long Covid, and the wider impact of the pandemic.

  24. Choose the right NHS service for you and your family

    News -

    The Royal College of Nursing has announced that members will take strike action from Sunday 30 April to Monday 1 May 2023.

  25. 10 top tips to get the most out of your dental appointment

    Advice and Information -

    Everyone should be able to access good quality NHS dental services. Take a look at our top tips to help you get the most out of your next dental appointment.

  26. Annual Report 2018/19

    Report -

    Our annual report tells the story of our work over the past 12 months.

  27. Islington Patient Group November 2018 supporting materials

    Report -

    Find materials for this meeting of the Islington Patient Group.

  28. Community research 2018

    Report -

    Self-care, social issues affecting health, and care delivered closer to home

  29. Local organisations publish joint report showing how their communities experience health services

    News -

    Diverse Communities Health Voice gathers the views of black and minority ethnic communities that don't speak English as a first language.

  30. Our complaints process

    Report -

    Our complaints process outlines how to make a complaint about us and our approach to making sure complaints are resolved.

  31. Transforming Mental Health Services: Consultation response

    Report -

    Local community organisations would welcome stronger referral pathways, and the opportunity to develop dialogue with Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust.

  32. Healthwatch Islington is recruiting a Treasurer

    News -

    Get involved with Healthwatch Islington

  33. Healthwatch Islington bids farewell to two directors

    News -

    Directors Rose McDonald and Shelagh Prosser have stepped down from the Board at the end of their terms of office.

  34. Jana Witt is the new Chair of Healthwatch Islington

    News -

    Jana works as a Programme Manager in the healthcare sector and has a strong interest in promoting patient choice.

  35. SpeakUp2020: Share your views and help make the NHS better

    News -

    New campaign calls on the public to share their experiences of NHS services to help make care better for all.

  36. Our position on Patient Transport Services

    Response -

    We'd like to see clearer eligibility criteria, and better access to the service for patients with communication support needs.

  37. How to use Zoom

    Report -

    A brief introduction to Zoom - giving guidance on how to join a virtual meeting.

  38. Our volunteers are helping local residents to get the most out of their devices, and keep connected in troubled times

    News -

    With social distancing measures in place, we're doing more and more essential tasks online. Our digital champions make sure that local residents that need some support don't get left behind.

  39. Our annual report 2019/20

    Report -

    Last year, we engaged with over 2300 residents. 650 people shared their stories about health and social care, and we made 25 recommendations to services about the improvements that people would like to see.

  40. Help health and social care services recover from COVID-19 #BecauseWeAllCare

    News -

    Two-thirds of people in England say they are more likely to act to improve health and social care services since the outbreak of COVID-19. Help services improve and join our campaign #BecauseWeAllCare to encourage people to share their experience.

  41. DIGITAL INCLUSION: Local residents in social housing and sheltered accommodation improve their skills

    News -

    We're doing more and more essential tasks online. Our digital champions offer support and encouragement to local residents who are learning how to use digital platforms.

  42. Improvements in mental health support services for migrant communities in Islington

    Blog -

    Feedback we received from residents and local organisations supporting migrant communities is helping make mental health services easier to access for people from diverse cultural backgrounds

  43. It's a dog's life on Whatsapp - Islington pet owner learns new digital tricks

    News -

    Patsy used to just use her phone for making calls. Now she can use it to to share photos of her beloved dog with her friends. We hope this is just the start of her digital journey.

  44. Our position on digital inclusion

    Response -

    Digital can be for anyone, but it isn’t for everyone.

  45. Healthwatch volunteer wins prestigious local award

    News -

    Our congratulations go to David Mallory, who has been recognised as a champion among Digital Champions

  46. From Digital Exclusion to Inclusion

    Report -

    We know that there is a huge digital divide in Islington and that this is likely to exacerbate existing inequality if we don’t take joined-up action.

  47. Ten top tips for using e-consult

    Report -

    Here are ten top tips for using e-consult

  48. We respond to the NHS England consultation on the eligibility criteria for non-emergency patient transport

    Response -

    We continue to hear reports from residents that the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service doesn’t work well for them. Lack of clarity in the wording of eligibility criteria creates ambiguity, confusion, and unfairness.

  49. Healthwatch Islington is recruiting new board members

    News -

    We're seeking participation from people from Black and Asian backgrounds. We are also looking for people who may have experience as a family carer, or who use health services regularly.