1. What is a fit note and how do I get one?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what a ‘fit note’ is, when you might need one and how to get one.

  2. How to stay informed while you wait for care

    Advice and Information -

    The wait for planned medical care or surgery can be frustrating. That’s why you must get regular and accessible updates while you wait.

  3. How to register with a GP; understanding your patient rights

    Advice and Information -

    You've told us that you've experienced problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about how to register with a GP, what your rights are and what to do if you're refused the right to register.

  4. Looking after your mental health all year round

    Advice and Information -

    One in four people in the UK have a mental health condition. With everything going on in our daily lives, awareness of our mental health and how to care for ourselves or others is essential.

  5. Top 10 ways to get the most out of your next dental appointment

    Advice and Information -

    How can I get the most out of my next visit to the dentist? Take a look at our tips to help you prepare for your appointment and make sure you understand your treatment and how much it will cost.

  6. What’s your experience of booking appointments on your GP website?

    News -

    We are asking people to share their experience of using GP websites to book appointments, to help improve access to GP services in the city.

  7. Have your say - Easy Read

    Report -

    Download an Easy Read version of our 'Have your say' form.

  8. Who we are and what we do

    Report -

    Here are some Easy Read resources to explain who we are and what we do.

  9. Healthwatch England report: Faster progress needed to tackle barriers to care

    News -

    Access to care is the main concern people have shared with Healthwatch in the past year. A new report by Healthwatch England looking at health and social care from the patients' perspective has warned that we risk "a two-tier health and care system" unless the NHS takes faster action to tackle access issues.

  10. Making a complaint about social care services – what should you expect?

    Advice and Information -

    Here we look at six things you should expect when making a complaint about social care services.

  11. What should I know before choosing a care home?

    Advice and Information -

    To choose the right care home and support for your needs, or the needs of a loved one, it's important you have the right information to make your decision. Here are six things you should consider when choosing a care home.

  12. NHS referrals and your right to choose

    Advice and Information -

    Did you know you can choose which hospital you go to when referred for a test, diagnosis, or treatment? Find out how.

  13. What are the symptoms and treatments for diabetes?

    Advice and Information -

    Diabetes UK estimates that five million people in the UK are living with diabetes, with 850,000 of them not yet diagnosed.

  14. What is social prescribing?

    Advice and Information -

    NHS social prescribing link workers can connect you to the right community groups and services to help support you.

  15. What is menopause and what are the signs?

    Advice and Information -

    With more than thirty recognised symptoms of menopause and growing awareness of the impact on day-to-day life, it can help to know what to look out for and what support is available.

  16. What is SAD, and how can you manage it?

    Advice and Information -

    Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression triggered by seasonal changes. One in twenty people in the UK are diagnosed with the condition, with men more likely to be diagnosed with SAD than women.

  17. What is the COVID-19 vaccine and how do I get it?

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at what you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccination programme, including where to go and why it's important.

  18. How to look after yourself while caring for someone else

    Advice and Information -

    Each day 6,000 people become carers. Looking after a loved one can be physically and emotionally exhausting so it's vital that you get the support you need. Find out how you can make sure you look after yourself.

  19. What to expect after being referred for an autism assessment

    Advice and Information -

    Autism affects people in different ways. It can bring strengths and challenges that can affect how comfortable, healthy, and happy you feel. Here's what you should expect from an autism assessment, diagnosis and getting the proper support.

  20. Looking after your oral health while living in a care home

    Advice and Information -

    Living in a care home can increase your risk of oral health problems. That's why knowing what questions to ask care staff about your oral health or loved ones can prevent problems from developing.

  21. What is an NHS and Care Volunteer Responder, and how can I access this service?

    Advice and Information -

    Did you know Volunteer Responders can help you access support and services such as collecting prescriptions and shopping delivery?

  22. Can I access my GP records online?

    Advice and Information -

    From 31 October 2023, GP surgeries must give patients online access to their new health record entries. Find out what information is in your record and how to access it.

  23. Enter and View: Primrose Hill Nursing Home

    Report -

    Our report following a visit to the Primrose Hill Nursing Home in the Bushbury area of Wolverhampton. Split over three floors for up to 50 residents, it comprises three units, each designed to provide specialist care and support for those people living dementia, complex nursing needs and those people requiring end of life care and support.

  24. What is measles and who can get the vaccine?

    Advice and Information -

    Measles vaccination rates are at a ten-year low as cases rise nationwide. Find out about measles, who can get the vaccine, and what you can do to stay safe.

  25. How can mental health support be improved for adults with autism in Wolverhampton?

    News -

    As your local health and social care champion, we want to hear about your experience of mental health support for adults with autism and how this could be improved.

  26. Improving access to GPs in Wolverhampton: An evaluation of phone and website booking systems

    Report -

    In response to concerns about access to GP services in the city, we have been tracking the quality and consistency of GP phone booking systems for some time and reporting on areas of improvement.

  27. Improving access to GPs in Wolverhampton - new report

    News -

    We have published a new report highlighting how GP practices in the city could make it easier for patients to book appointments and access services.

  28. What the new dental recovery plan means for you

    Advice and Information -

    Are you struggling to find an NHS dentist? The new dental recovery plan might help you get the dental care you need.

  29. The value of listening: Annual Report 2023-24

    Report -

    Healthwatch Wolverhampton Annual Report 2023-24: A review of our work over the past year and its impact, plus our work planned for 2024-25

  30. Healthwatch Wolverhampton Annual Report 2023-24: The value of listening

    News -

    Healthwatch Wolverhampton’s Annual Report 2023-24 highlights how we listened to over 3,130 people last year, supporting them to have their say to improve health and social care and to get information and advice about local services.

  31. Share your feedback about mental health services to help shape better care in Wolverhampton

    News -

    As your local health and social care champion, we want to hear your experiences of adult mental health services in Wolverhampton and your views and ideas for how services could be improved.

  32. Who are physician associates and what do they do?

    Advice and Information -

    What are physician associates? Find out about their training and what kind of care they can provide.

  33. Enter and View: Wrottesley Park House Care Home

    Report -

    Our report following a visit to the Wrottesley Park House Care Home, located on Wergs Road in Wolverhampton. It currently utilises the ground floor with 59 en-suite beds. The home provides both nursing and residential specialist care for young adults, including those challenging behaviour, physical and/or learning disabilities.

  34. Healthwatch England report: Women in England want at home cervical screening tests on the NHS

    News -

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

  35. Improving support for people with autism

    Report -

    We have been hearing from people awaiting a diagnosis for autism. Concerns are being raised regarding extremely long waiting times for diagnosis and a lack of support and communication while awaiting a diagnosis.

  36. Report highlights the need for improved support for people with autism

    News -

    We have published a new report, 'Improving support for people with autism', highlighting significant challenges faced by people waiting for an autism diagnosis and those living with autism in Wolverhampton.

  37. How to make cervical screening (a smear test) work for you

    Advice and Information -

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

  38. NHS 111: Booking your A&E appointment

    Advice and Information -

    Learn what NHS 111 is and how you can use the service to book an A&E appointment.

  39. Public's confusion over 'right' to register with an NHS dentist

    News -

    Almost two decades after the public lost their right to register permanently with an NHS dentist, Healthwatch England's new research shows two-thirds believe this right exists. Find out more about their findings and calls for dental reform.

  40. Our complaints process

    Report -

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

  41. The Accessible Information Standard - What you can expect from services

    Advice and Information -

    The Accessible Information Standard is mandatory for all organisations that provide NHS or adult social care.

  42. Enter and View: Penn Hospital, Mental Health Unit

    Report -

    Our report following a visit to Penn Hospital Mental Health Unit in Wolverhampton. This visit was part of our wider public engagement work in 2024 looking at people's experiences of local mental health services.

  43. How do I choose the right care home?

    Advice and Information -

    Finding a suitable care home for you or a loved one can be difficult. Knowing what to look for and what questions to ask can make the decision easier. We’ve gathered some information and useful resources to help you make the right choice.

  44. Evolving Communities wins Healthwatch Wolverhampton contract to be local people’s health and care champion

    News -

    Following a recent tender process, Evolving Communities has been appointed by the City of Wolverhampton Council to provide Healthwatch services from April 2022.

  45. Accessing GP care in Wolverhampton

    Report -

    We called all GP practices to see if they have made it easier (since our last report in December 2021) for people to book appointments and access services.

  46. Volunteers' Week

    Event -

  47. World Health Day

    Event -

  48. Mental Health Awareness Week

    Event -

  49. World Alzheimer’s Day

    Event -