1. Meet Julia

    Blog -

    Julia volunteers for Healthwatch as a Health Champion and as a Digital Champion. Here she talks about why she volunteers and how she benefits.

  2. Our annual report 2022-2023

    Report -

    It's been a great year of growth for Healthwatch Islington. We are the independent champion for people who use health and social care services in the borough.

  3. How to access mental health support if you have gender, sexuality or relationship diversity

    Advice and Information -

    Mental health problems are more common among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people. If you are struggling, feel alone or need a little help, then check out our guide on how you can get the support you need.

  4. How do I get a fit note?

    Advice and Information -

    Since July 2022, nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists have been able to legally certify and issue a statement of fitness for work, informally known as a ‘fit note’. Previously only GPs or hospital doctors could issue fit notes. Find out what a fit note is, when you might need one and how to go about getting one.

  5. Registering with your GP: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    Sometimes we help residents who are finding it difficult to register with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register.

  6. If you could change just one thing about health and care services, what would it be?

    News -

    Our staff and volunteers have been putting that question to shoppers at Chapel Market and partygoers at the Caledonian Road street festival.

  7. Building partnerships

    News -

    Celebrating ten years of Healthwatch Islington

  8. Volunteering

    News -

    Celebrating ten years of Healthwatch Islington

  9. Have your say on eye surgery proposals for North Central London

    News -

    Have you recently received eye surgery services or are you going through the process now? The NHS in North Central London is seeking feedback on proposed changes to where some patients have planned eye surgery.

  10. Mental health

    News -

    Celebrating ten years of Healthwatch Islington

  11. Providing advice and information

    News -

    Celebrating ten years of Healthwatch Islington

  12. Healthwatch celebrates ten years of work to improve health and care services in Islington

    News -

    Our tenth birthday celebration gave us the chance to say thank you to all the volunteers, partner organisations, and residents who have been key to our success.

  13. Learn how Healthwatch provides digital support to community groups in Islington

    Blog -

    Gulum Sener, our Digital Inclusion Project Manager, visits Jannaty Women's Social Society, a community group based in Finsbury Park.

  14. Questions and Answers on Cervical Screening

    Advice and Information -

    We hosted an information session led by Nyamka Marsh, Islington Lead Nurse & Nurse Hub Manager, Islington GP Federation.

  15. The work of our digital champions is commended at awards ceremony

    News -

    Our team of volunteer digital champions have been recognised again for the fantastic job they do.

  16. Our one-to-one digital support programme is coming to an end

    Response -

    A challenging funding environment means we are no longer able to offer one-to-one support for digital beginners.

  17. We'd like to hear from people using home care services

    News -

    We can point you in the right direction if you need help accessing other health or care services. We'd also like to hear your views on the care you receive at home.

  18. If I could change just one thing about health and care, this is what it would be

    News -

    Local people share their key concerns about health and care services today

  19. Healthwatch tackles high blood pressure

    News -

    We helped over 1,300 people improve their understanding of hypertension and identified over 130 people with undiagnosed hypertension, whom we were able to point in the direction of their GP or community pharmacy for further tests.

  20. Our response to proposed changes to maternity and neonatal services in North Central London

    Response -

    This is a joint response and comes from Healthwatch Islington and Islington Somali Community.

  21. Find out how we help community groups to offer mental health support

    Blog -

    Our Mental Health Partnerships team delivered a wellbeing session about depression at the end of last month. We share the story of the event.

  22. Raising awareness of hypertension in Islington

    Report -

    We helped over 1,300 people improve their understanding of hypertension.

  23. What are your expectations for your annual health review?

    News -

    We asked over 500 residents with long-term health conditions what they wanted from their yearly check-ups

  24. Our best practice coordinator for carers engagement gets to work

    News -

    We'll be supporting the North Central London Mental Health Trust to learn from best practices across the region to improve the experience of carers

  25. Islington residents share feedback on how their health conditions affect their activity levels

    News -

    We asked over 500 residents with long-term conditions about their patterns of physical activity and exercise and how this was affected by their health.

  26. Conversations with GPs can give patients with health conditions confidence to increase physical exercise

    News -

    Residents with long-term health conditions tell us that the opportunity to speak directly to a health professional can give them the confidence they need to increase their levels of physical activity safely.

  27. Islington patients managing long-term conditions give feedback on their annual health checks and patterns of physical activity

    Report -

    We asked over 500 residents with long-term health conditions what they wanted from their yearly check-ups and how their health affected their physical activity patterns.

  28. Supporting the uptake of cervical screening within the Somali and Turkish speaking communities in Islington

    Report -

    Guided by learning from a Public Health Cancer Needs analysis, and support from North Central London Cancer Alliance, the project has focused on supporting uptake of cervical screening in the Somali and Turkish Communities

  29. Supporting the uptake of cervical screening within our Somali and Turkish speaking communities

    News -

    Somali and Turkish women have a higher refusal rate for cervical screening than the Islington average. Our project has enabled women to have one-to-one conversations about screening with cancer champions in their first language.

  30. Getting the best out of your practice website and phoneline

    Report -

    Decision-makers responsible for GP services have worked with us to produce this resource, which is being distributed across general practice in Islington to support providers to improve their messaging.

  31. Our annual report 2023-2024

    Report -

    The value of listening.

  32. Having those important conversations about childhood immunisations

    News -

    We’ve spoken with parents and carers at ‘Stay and Plays’ and at community events to raise awareness of the benefits of getting their children vaccinated

  33. Giving advice and information to mental health professionals to support better patient care

    News -

    Healthwatch staff based within our local mental health trust provide expertise on the support available for patients within the voluntary and community sectors.

  34. How do I get help at home from a paid carer?

    Advice and Information -

    What are the key steps in the process?

  35. Interpreting services in general practice in North Central London

    Report -

    We spoke to 60 North Central London residents about their experiences of interpreting in primary care.

  36. Residents tell Healthwatch that the quality of interpreting in primary care can be good, but it depends on who you get

    News -

    We spoke to 60 North Central London residents about their experiences of interpreting in primary care.

  37. Our Boost project has been helping vulnerable young people to improve their physical and mental health

    News -

    The Boost project is just one of the ways our Mental Health Partnership team have worked with NHS and community partners this year

  38. Review of the Boost Lift Project for vulnerable young people, aged 18 to 25

    Report -

    In this project, we supported young people experiencing mental health challenges to find positive outcomes through exercise and activity.

  39. Reflecting on our first year providing information to families about childhood immunisations

    News -

    Our childhood immunisations outreach worker has been engaging with families in Islington's most deprived wards to provide good quality information about vaccinations.

  40. A fond farewell to Emma Whitby, our outgoing chief executive

    News -

    Goodbye and thanks for everything

  41. Key facts about childhood immunisations

    Advice and Information -

    Our childhood immunisations outreach worker has produced information resources she shares with parents (and professionals working in early years settings). We're sharing some of that content here.