Our Reports

Healthwatch Cheshire East followed up with the 20 Cheshire East residents who took part in Phase 1 to find out what happened after they left Leighton Hospital. This report covers Phase 2 of the wider Discharge from Hospital project, looking at patients' experiences once they were home or in a care setting. It covers the period December 2025 to March 2026.

Key findings:
- 13 out of 20 patients agreed to a follow-up interview
- 11 out of 13 felt the timing of their discharge was appropriate
- 13 out of 13 were transferred with sufficient medication
- 8 out of 13 had no designated point of contact after discharge
- 9 out of 13 felt their discharge had been safe and positive
- Ambulance and Red Cross crews were consistently praised
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation follow-up was a gap across all discharge routes
- Emotional wellbeing after discharge was largely unaddressed by formal support

This is the Quarterly Report of Healthwatch Cheshire East's activity during the period of 1st April to 30th June 2026. Highlights from this period include:

- Published Discharge Report Phase 1 for Leighton Hospital
- Published Annual Report 2025-26 for Cheshire East
- Attended information sessions from the Deaf and Sensory Network (DSN) and on single-patient rooms in the new Leighton Hospital
- Attended Pride events across Cheshire East

Healthwatch Cheshire East spoke to 20 Cheshire East residents at Leighton Hospital about their experiences of discharge planning while still in hospital. This report covers Phase 1 of the wider Discharge from Hospital project, looking at how informed, supported and prepared patients felt before leaving. It covers the period November 2025 to February 2026.

Key findings:
- Most patients were positive about the care they received on the wards
- 18 out of 20 people said they had been told about the discharge process
- 18 out of 19 people said they had not been given written information about discharge
- 16 out of 19 people felt prepared to leave hospital
- Family members and carers played a key role in supporting patients through the process
- Some patients experienced late or last-minute changes to discharge arrangements
- Delays to transport, care packages and equipment caused frustration for some

Healthwatch Cheshire makes the case for the value of local, independent patient voice in health and social care. Drawing on 12 years of community insight across Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester, this document sets out what Healthwatch does, the difference it has made, and why its independence — from communities to boardrooms — matters now more than ever.

Healthwatch Cheshire carried out a follow-up Enter and View visit to Leighton Hospital A&E on 12 February 2026, focusing on corridor care and temporary escalation spaces. The report checks progress since our earlier visits in December 2024 and August 2025, using the Care and Comfort principles from the Red Lines Toolkit to frame what patients, relatives and carers told us — and what we observed on the day.

Key Findings

- Staff were consistently praised as kind, caring and professional despite significant pressure
- Call bell access improved between visits, with more visible signage and posters in some areas, but gaps remained including missing call bells in specific bays and variable response times
- Privacy and dignity remained difficult to maintain in open escalation environments, particularly for patients who were asleep, distressed or upset
- Overnight comfort was a continued concern, with noise, alarms and lighting affecting rest, and sleep packs not consistently offered proactively
- Personal hygiene support was inconsistent, with some patients remaining in the same clothes overnight and not being offered washing facilities
- Food and drink experiences were mixed, with some patients reporting delays or gaps including overnight
- More patients received a corridor care leaflet than in August 2025, but readability and consistency remained issues
- Communication about next steps and likely timeframes remained uneven

Healthwatch Cheshire East carried out a follow-up Enter and View visit to Macclesfield District General Hospital A&E on 4 and 10 December 2025, focusing on corridor care and temporary escalation spaces. The report checks progress since our earlier visits in November 2024 and August 2025, using the Care and Comfort principles from the Red Lines Toolkit to frame what patients, relatives and carers told us — and what we observed on the day.

Key Findings
- Staff were consistently praised as kind, caring and professional despite significant pressure
- Some patients described very long waits, including 22–36 hours in corridor or Fit to Sit spaces and up to 28 hours in the waiting room
- Call bell access was inconsistent, particularly in Fit to Sit and the waiting room, where patients were not always told how to summon help
- Older people spending the night in chairs reported poor overnight comfort, with pillows, blankets and sleep packs not consistently provided
- Personal hygiene support was limited for those waiting for extended periods
- Food and drink provision was mixed, with drinks generally available but food choice limited for longer waits
- Written information about escalation care was rarely offered and communication about next steps was inconsistent

This is the Quarterly Report of Healthwatch Cheshire East's activity during the period of 1st January to 31st March 2026.

Highlights from this period include:
- Continued working on the Discharge Report with Mid Cheshire Hospital Trust (Leighton Hospital)
- Drafted Enter and View report on Macclesfield Hospital A&E, focusing on patient experience and corridor care
- Supported engagement on the NHS App Survey, published in partnership with Healthwatch Wirral
- Published a new document setting out the value of local, independent patient voice in health and social care across Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester

Healthwatch Cheshire gathered the views of over 600 residents across Cheshire East and Cheshire West about their experiences of diagnostic services, including scans, tests, and investigations. The report explores both the clinical and emotional aspects of waiting, access, and communication — offering practical insights to improve patient journeys.

Key Findings

- 88% of respondents had undergone a diagnostic test in the past year — most commonly blood tests, X-rays, and MRIs
- Many praised NHS staff for professionalism, kindness, and reassurance throughout the process
- Most found the process smooth once they reached the test itself — delays were more often related to booking or waiting for results
- 30% experienced delays at the referral stage, often without clear communication or updates
- Emotional impact was significant — some described anxiety and uncertainty while waiting for results or next steps
- A lack of information about what the test involved, how long results would take, and who to contact caused confusion
- People often didn’t know whether to chase their GP, hospital, or another service — especially when communication broke down
- Some felt they were left in limbo after tests, with unclear pathways to treatment or follow-up
- Recommendations focus on better information-sharing, clearer referral pathways, and support during the wait

Over 1,000 residents in Cheshire East shared their recent experiences of contacting GP services. The survey highlights what’s working well and where systems can better meet people’s needs, especially those with caring responsibilities or digital limitations.

Key Findings:

- 75% secured face-to-face appointments — often after multiple attempts
- Phone contact remains the main route in, but over a third also used online forms or practice websites — the highest digital uptake in the region
- Patients valued staff who offered flexible solutions, especially for carers and those with complex needs
- Some found 8am call bottlenecks frustrating, with limited pre-bookable slots or unclear triage
- Mixed experiences with online tools like PATCHS — accessible for some, alienating for others
- A majority felt cared for and listened to once seen — but access could be unpredictable
- Calls for more balanced booking systems, better communication about options, and greater choice in how to access care

This regional report presents findings from a joint Healthwatch-led GP Access Survey commissioned by NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board. It captures the experiences of over 6,000 patients across all 9 local Healthwatch areas, exploring how people are accessing GP services in light of national recovery plans and ongoing local pressures.

Key Findings:

- Most people still rely on telephone to contact their GP — with some praising efficiency, while others struggle with long queues and dropped calls
- Online booking and digital tools are growing in use, especially among younger patients — though not everyone finds them accessible
- Two-thirds of respondents experienced delays or difficulty getting through on the first attempt, especially at peak times
- Many reported positive interactions with reception and clinical staff, citing kindness and professionalism
- Satisfaction was generally high once patients secured an appointment
- Some turned to pharmacies, NHS 111, or private care due to GP access barriers — especially when symptoms felt urgent

Healthwatch Cheshire East carried out an independent review of the Discharge to Assess (D2A) process between September 2024 and January 2025. The project followed 15 patients discharged from East Cheshire Trust along Pathways 1, 2, and 3 — to understand their experiences of leaving hospital and receiving care at home or in community settings. Through in-depth interviews at three points along the patient journey, the report highlights what’s working, what’s not, and what patients say could be improved.

Between April 2023 and February 2025, Healthwatch Cheshire gathered feedback from residents regarding their experiences with local pharmacies. This report highlights the challenges and improvements observed during this period. Pharmacies across Cheshire have faced significant pressures due to financial constraints, staff shortages, and increased demand for services. These issues have led to temporary closures, reduced services, and longer waiting times for prescriptions. Despite these challenges, the Pharmacy First initiative launched in 2024 has aimed to improve accessibility and provide more services at local pharmacies.

Feedback from Cheshire residents revealed both positive and negative experiences. Many appreciated the excellent customer service, timely medication delivery, and professional support from pharmacists. However, issues such as medicine shortages, prescription delays, and overcrowded pharmacies were common concerns. Vulnerable groups, including the elderly and those with chronic conditions, faced particular difficulties. The report underscores the need for continued efforts to enhance pharmacy services, improve coordination between healthcare providers, and ensure that pharmacies can meet the needs of their communities.

Since June 2020, Healthwatch Cheshire has observed a significant increase in enquiries regarding access to NHS dental care. This report provides an update on the situation from November 2022 to September 2024, highlighting both the persistent challenges and some improvements faced by residents in Cheshire. While many individuals continue to struggle with registering and accessing NHS dentists, leading to long waiting times for appointments, there have been efforts to address these issues.

The financial burden of private dental care remains a concern, impacting those who cannot afford it. Vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, the elderly, disabled individuals, and low-income families, face specific challenges in obtaining necessary dental care. Despite these difficulties, there have been initiatives aimed at improving access and reducing health inequalities. This report underscores the ongoing need for enhancements in NHS dental services to better meet local needs and support overall health and well-being.

This is the Quarterly Report of Healthwatch Cheshire East's activity during the period of 1st October to 31st December 2025.
Highlights from this period include:
- Commenced Enter and View visits to Macclesfield Hospital A&E and Leighton Hospital A&E departments, focusing on patient experience based on a co-produced Red Lines Toolkit (corridor care)
- Completed and published work on the Cheshire and Merseyside Diagnostics Programme, in partnership with the Integrated Care System
- Completed and published GP Access Survey (part of a Cheshire & Merseyside-wide project), with findings presented to the Community Partnerships to help shape plans for improving GP services
- Continued working on the Discharge Project with Mid Cheshire Hospital Trust (Leighton Hospital)

This is the Quarterly Report of Healthwatch Cheshire East's activity during the period of 1st July to 30th September 2025.
Highlights from this period include:
- Commencement of Enter and View visits to Macclesfield Hospital A&E and Leighton Hospital A&E, focusing on patient experience and corridor care
- Continued working on the Discharge Project with Mid Cheshire Hospital Trust (Leighton Hospital)
- Ongoing engagement across Cheshire East care communities

This is the Quarterly Report of Healthwatch Cheshire East's activity during the period of 1st October to 31st December 2024.
Highlights from this period include:
- Enter and View visits and reports for A&E departments at Macclesfield and Leighton Hospitals
- Completion of the Pharmacy Views Report to inform the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessments for both Cheshire West and Chester and Cheshire East
- Commencement of work on the Cheshire and Merseyside Diagnostic Programme

At Healthwatch Cheshire, the Enter and View programme is conducted by a small team of trained staff and volunteers, who are prepared as Authorised Representatives to carry out visits to health and social care premises to find out how they are being run and, where there are areas for improvement, to make recommendations.

A&E Watch is part of Healthwatch Cheshire’s annual programme of work, visiting A&E services across Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester. The visits took place to investigate how people’s experiences of A&E have changed from last year.

At Healthwatch Cheshire, the Enter and View programme is conducted by a small team of trained staff and volunteers, who are prepared as Authorised Representatives to carry out visits to health and social care premises to find out how they are being run and, where there are areas for improvement, to make recommendations.

A&E Watch is part of Healthwatch Cheshire’s annual programme of work, visiting A&E services across Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester. The visits took place to investigate how people’s experiences of A&E have changed from last year.

This is the Quarterly Report of Healthwatch Cheshire East's activity during the period of 1st July to 31st September 2024.
Highlights from this period include:
Commencement of the Discharge to Assess Project and Report for East Cheshire Trust and Cheshire East Council
Recruitment of a full-time Intelligence, Insight and Communications Officer

This is the Quarterly Report of Healthwatch Cheshire East's activity during the period of 1st April to 30th June 2024.
Highlights from this period include:
Initial meetings working in conjunction with other Cheshire and Merseyside Healthwatch and the Integrated Care Board to hear the experiences of diagnostic services across Cheshire and Merseyside to transform these services across the region
•Finalising the Cheshire East Reablement Service Report
•Ongoing meetings with Macclesfield Hospital to resolve GDPR issues around the Discharge Project and Report
•Support to the Post Covid Team based at Eagle Bridge Medical Centre in Crewe to raise awareness of their service
•Six enter and view visits were undertaken, four West and two East
•Support with Cheshire East JSNA.

This report summarises an independent review Healthwatch Cheshire East undertook of the Cheshire East Community Reablement Service to gain an understanding of people’s experiences of using the service during the past six months, highlighting areas of good practise and to make recommendations.

This is the Quarterly Report of Healthwatch Cheshire East's activity during the period of 1st January to 31st March 2024.

Highlights from this period include: Commencement of Cheshire East Reablement interviews,
Discharge to Assess Interviews at Care Homes and receipt of a comprehensive Emergency Department Improvement Plan from Mid Cheshire Hospital as a result of our A&E Watch in November 2023.

Healthwatch Cheshire’s Citizens Focus Panel enables us to get feedback on current topical issues from a set group of Cheshire residents on a regular basis. Our panel is made up of a wide range of people from all across Cheshire and continues to grow; we’re always looking for new volunteers to join us.
This report focusses on how changes to the cost of living have affected local people.

This is the Quarterly Report of Healthwatch Cheshire East's activity during the period of 1st October to 31st December 2023.

Highlights from this period include: publication of two A&E Watch Leighton Hospital reports and a re-visit and report of the Ambulatory Wound Care Service in mid-Cheshire.

This A&E Watch report results from an annual visit to Leighton Hospital. In the context of unprecedented levels of attendance in the department our focus was to understand reasons why people were attending,
specifically whether they had attempted to access any other
services prior to going to A&E.

An Enter and View report of the Same Day Emergency Care Department based at Leighton Hospital undertaken at the same time as our annual A&E Watch visit.

This is the Quarterly Report of Healthwatch Cheshire East's activity during the period of 1st July to 30th September 2023.

A highlight from this quarter includes the publication of Macclesfield Hospital A&E Watch reports.

Healthwatch were approached by the Accident and Emergency
Delivery Board to conduct an A&E Watch at Macclesfield
hospital. This was in the context of unprecedented levels of
attendance in the department and to understand reasons why
people were attending, specifically whether they had
attempted to access any other services prior to going to A&E.
A&E Watch allows Healthwatch Cheshire to gather the
experiences of individuals, which provides additional rich and
detailed information, enhancing the statistics regarding A&E
attendance

Healthwatch Cheshire’s Citizens Focus Panel enables us to get feedback on current topical issues from a set group of Cheshire residents on a regular basis. Our panel is made up of a wide range of people from all across Cheshire and continues to grow; we’re always looking for new volunteers to join us.

The purpose of this survey is to help the local area's Combatting Drugs Partnership understand the impact substance misuse has on the residents of Cheshire.

This is the Quarterly Report on Healthwatch Cheshire East's activity during the period of 1st April to 30th June 2023.

Highlights from this quarter include the publication of our Annual Report and support of Afghan refugees to navigate our health and care system.

This is the Quarterly Report on Healthwatch Cheshire East's activity during the period of 1st January to 31st March 2023.

Highlights from this quarter include the publication of our latest Citizens' Focus Panel report and supporting East Cheshire NHS Trust to review their collaboration with Stockport Trust.

Healthwatch Cheshire’s Citizens Focus Panel enables us to get feedback on current topical issues from a set group of Cheshire residents on a regular basis. Our panel is made up of a wide range of people from all across Cheshire and continues to grow; we’re always looking for new volunteers to join us.

GPs’ websites are becoming an increasingly substantial part of public interaction with the national healthcare service, particularly noted during COVID and consistently afterwards. Healthwatch Cheshire’s feedback centre continuously collects and analyses feedback from the public on health and social care services. In the last year, there has been an increasing trend of feedback involving interaction with GP websites, which highlighted the reliance on this source of information to be informative, accurate and accessible. Healthwatch Cheshire conducted a survey in January 2023 asking the Citizen Focus Panel members about their experience of using GPs’ websites and this report outlines our findings.

This is the Quarterly Report on Healthwatch Cheshire East's activity during the period of 1st October to 31st December 2022.

Highlights from this quarter include the publication of Enter and View reports, Ambulatory Wound Care reports and a third Dental report. The findings of our A&E Watch report were presented to the Mid Cheshire Hospital Trust Board.

Healthwatch Cheshire continues to receive high volumes of queries regarding NHS dentistry. This report summarises the latest themes of concern.

This is the Quarterly Report on Healthwatch Cheshire East's activity during the period of 1st July - 30th September 2022.

Highlights from this quarter include attendance at Pride events across Cheshire, re-introduction of Enter & View visits following Covid epidemic, grouped Enter & Views and survey of Central Cheshire Ambulatory Wound Care Service, Accident & Emergency Watch at Leighton Hospital, and seeking out new contact groups and organisations.

In Summer 2022, Healthwatch were approached by the then
Cheshire A&E Delivery Board to undertake an A&E Watch at
Leighton Hospital. This was in the context of unprecedented
levels of attendance in the department and to understand
reasons why people were attending, specifically whether they
had attempted to access any other services prior to going to
A&E.
A&E Watch allows Healthwatch Cheshire to gather the
experiences of individuals, which provides additional rich and
detailed information, enhancing the statistics regarding A&E
attendance

Healthwatch Cheshire’s Citizens Focus Panel enables us to get feedback on current topical issues from a set group of Cheshire residents on a regular basis. Our panel is made up of a wide range of people from all across Cheshire and continues to grow; we’re always looking for new volunteers to join us.

Healthwatch Cheshire were approached by NHS Cheshire CCG to ask our panel their opinions on the Choose Well Cheshire
campaign which aims to support people to choose the right care at the right time when they fall ill so they get better quickly. It also aims to empower
Cheshire residents to be confident to make the right choices for them, their families and communities.
The purpose of this survey is to help the NHS and its partners to evaluate and understand the impact of the 2021-22
campaign and find ways to improve it in future years. It also asks about attitudes to using healthcare services and how
people access advice and information.

This is the Quarterly Report on Healthwatch Cheshire East's activity during the period of 1st April - 30th June 2022.

Highlights from this quarter include our annual reports, the Integrated Care System Draft Engagement Framework, GP Practice Website testing, and Citizens Focus Panel survey on the Choose Well campaign.

Healthwatch Cheshire’s Citizens Focus Panel enables us to get feedback on current topical issues from a set group of Cheshire residents on a regular basis. Our panel is made up of a wide range of people from all across Cheshire and continues to grow; we’re always looking for new volunteers to join us.

Healthwatch Cheshire have received comments on people’s experiences regarding mental health, including long waits for support and referrals to services. Healthwatch want to gain insight into the effects of the pandemic on people’s mental health following on from our previous survey “Your Health and Wellbeing During Coronavirus (COVID-19)” where we asked people about their mental health, support and concerns. Therefore, the aim of this survey is to collect views and experiences of services, support available and concerns at this stage of the pandemic.

This short report looks at the user experience of GP websites and gives insight to both GP Practices and the public into how easy they are to use to find information, book appointments, and manage medication. We conducted checks between September and December 2021 and produced a report for each of the 85 GP Practices in Cheshire. This summary report provides an overview of the themes from across all the Practices.
The individual GP Practice reports are available on our website:

https://healthwatchcheshireeast.org.uk/what-we-do/enter-and-view/gp-practice-website-health-checks/

Healthwatch Cheshire holds continuous conversations with people to gather and better understand the views of people about their experiences and expectations of health, care, wellbeing support and services. Social distancing guidance and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic meant that much of our conversations with people during 2020 and the beginning of 2021 were held virtually over the telephone or by video call. People had been contacting us about topics such as COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, flu jabs, and access to services including GP Practices and dentistry. As well as these topics, conversations with those who plan services and support locally have identified that other priorities in Cheshire include pharmacies, self-care, promoting recruitment into the care sector, and voluntary sector support. Therefore, as restrictions and guidance loosened in mid to late 2021, we launched a set programme of activity - Healthwatch Across Cheshire - to once again get out into communities and talk to people face-to-face about these topics in all areas of Cheshire, from Malpas to Poynton and Neston to Nantwich. The following provides the findings from our visits to locations in the Sandbach, Middlewich, Alsager, Scholar Green and Haslington Care Community.

Healthwatch Cheshire holds continuous conversations with people to gather and better understand the views of people about their experiences and expectations of health, care, wellbeing support and services. Social distancing guidance and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic meant that much of our conversations with people during 2020 and the beginning of 2021 were held virtually over the telephone or by video call. People had been contacting us about topics such as COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, flu jabs, and access to services including GP Practices and dentistry. As well as these topics, conversations with those who plan services and support locally have identified that other priorities in Cheshire include pharmacies, self-care, promoting recruitment into the care sector, and voluntary sector support. Therefore, as restrictions and guidance loosened in mid to late 2021, we launched a set programme of activity - Healthwatch Across Cheshire - to once again get out into communities and talk to people face-to-face about these topics in all areas of Cheshire, from Malpas to Poynton and Neston to Nantwich. The following provides the findings from our visits to locations in the Nantwich, Wrenbury and Audlem Care Community.

Healthwatch Cheshire holds continuous conversations with people to gather and better understand the views of people about their experiences and expectations of health, care, wellbeing support and services. Social distancing guidance and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic meant that much of our conversations with people during 2020 and the beginning of 2021 were held virtually over the telephone or by video call. People had been contacting us about topics such as COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, flu jabs, and access to services including GP Practices and dentistry. As well as these topics, conversations with those who plan services and support locally have identified that other priorities in Cheshire include pharmacies, self-care, promoting recruitment into the care sector, and voluntary sector support. Therefore, as restrictions and guidance loosened in mid to late 2021, we launched a set programme of activity - Healthwatch Across Cheshire - to once again get out into communities and talk to people face-to-face about these topics in all areas of Cheshire, from Malpas to Poynton and Neston to Nantwich. The following provides the findings from our visits to locations in the Macclesfield Care Community.

Healthwatch Cheshire holds continuous conversations with people to gather and better understand the views of people about their experiences and expectations of health, care, wellbeing support and services. Social distancing guidance and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic meant that much of our conversations with people during 2020 and the beginning of 2021 were held virtually over the telephone or by video call. People had been contacting us about topics such as COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, flu jabs, and access to services including GP Practices and dentistry. As well as these topics, conversations with those who plan services and support locally have identified that other priorities in Cheshire include pharmacies, self-care, promoting recruitment into the care sector, and voluntary sector support. Therefore, as restrictions and guidance loosened in mid to late 2021, we launched a set programme of activity - Healthwatch Across Cheshire - to once again get out into communities and talk to people face-to-face about these topics in all areas of Cheshire, from Malpas to Poynton and Neston to Nantwich. The following provides the findings from our visits to locations in the Knutsford Care Community.

Healthwatch Cheshire holds continuous conversations with people to gather and better understand the views of people about their experiences and expectations of health, care, wellbeing support and services. Social distancing guidance and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic meant that much of our conversations with people during 2020 and the beginning of 2021 were held virtually over the telephone or by video call. People had been contacting us about topics such as COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, flu jabs, and access to services including GP Practices and dentistry. As well as these topics, conversations with those who plan services and support locally have identified that other priorities in Cheshire include pharmacies, self-care, promoting recruitment into the care sector, and voluntary sector support. Therefore, as restrictions and guidance loosened in mid to late 2021, we launched a set programme of activity - Healthwatch Across Cheshire - to once again get out into communities and talk to people face-to-face about these topics in all areas of Cheshire, from Malpas to Poynton and Neston to Nantwich. The following provides the findings from our visits to locations in the Crewe Care Community.

Healthwatch Cheshire holds continuous conversations with people to gather and better understand the views of people about their experiences and expectations of health, care, wellbeing support and services. Social distancing guidance and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic meant that much of our conversations with people during 2020 and the beginning of 2021 were held virtually over the telephone or by video call. People had been contacting us about topics such as COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, flu jabs, and access to services including GP Practices and dentistry. As well as these topics, conversations with those who plan services and support locally have identified that other priorities in Cheshire include pharmacies, self-care, promoting recruitment into the care sector, and voluntary sector support. Therefore, as restrictions and guidance loosened in mid to late 2021, we launched a set programme of activity - Healthwatch Across Cheshire - to once again get out into communities and talk to people face-to-face about these topics in all areas of Cheshire, from Malpas to Poynton and Neston to Nantwich. The following provides the findings from our visits to locations in the Congleton and Holmes Chapel Care Community.

Healthwatch Cheshire holds continuous conversations with people to gather and better understand the views of people about their experiences and expectations of health, care, wellbeing support and services. Social distancing guidance and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic meant that much of our conversations with people during 2020 and the beginning of 2021 were held virtually over the telephone or by video call. People had been contacting us about topics such as COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, flu jabs, and access to services including GP Practices and dentistry. As well as these topics, conversations with those who plan services and support locally have identified that other priorities in Cheshire include pharmacies, self-care, promoting recruitment into the care sector, and voluntary sector support. Therefore, as restrictions and guidance loosened in mid to late 2021, we launched a set programme of activity - Healthwatch Across Cheshire - to once again get out into communities and talk to people face-to-face about these topics in all areas of Cheshire, from Malpas to Poynton and Neston to Nantwich. The following provides the findings from our visits to locations in the Bollington, Disley and Poynton Care Community.

Healthwatch Cheshire holds continuous conversations with people to gather and better understand the views of people about their experiences and expectations of health, care, wellbeing support and services. Social distancing guidance and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic meant that much of our conversations with people during 2020 and the beginning of 2021 were held virtually over the telephone or by video call. People had been contacting us about topics such as COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, flu jabs, and access to services including GP Practices and dentistry. As well as these topics, conversations with those who plan services and support locally have identified that other priorities in Cheshire include pharmacies, self-care, promoting recruitment into the care sector, and voluntary sector support. Therefore, as restrictions and guidance loosened in mid to late 2021, we launched a set programme of activity - Healthwatch Across Cheshire - to once again get out into communities and talk to people face-to-face about these topics in all areas of Cheshire, from Malpas to Poynton and Neston to Nantwich. The following provides the findings from our visits to locations in the Alderley Edge, Chelford, Handforth and Wilmslow Care Community.

Healthwatch Cheshire holds continuous conversations with people to gather and better understand the views of people about their experiences and expectations of health, care, wellbeing support and services. Social distancing guidance and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic meant that much of our conversations with people during 2020 and the beginning of 2021 were held virtually over the telephone or by video call. People had been contacting us about topics such as COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, flu jabs, and access to services including GP Practices and dentistry. As well as these topics, conversations with those who plan services and support locally have identified that other priorities in Cheshire include pharmacies, self-care, promoting recruitment into the care sector, and voluntary sector support. Therefore, as restrictions and guidance loosened in mid to late 2021, we launched a set programme of activity - Healthwatch Across Cheshire - to once again get out into communities and talk to people face-to-face about these topics in all areas of Cheshire, from Malpas to Poynton and Neston to Nantwich.

The number of people contacting us regarding NHS dentistry has remained high throughout 2021, and this follow-up report further details the queries and comments Healthwatch Cheshire are receiving. The report will be shared with individual dental providers and NHS England to ensure that people’s voices are heard.

Healthwatch Cheshire are helping to plan, shape and improve local health and care services. We’re gaining feedback and starting discussions to influence decision making, using your voice to encourage those who run health and care services to act on what matters to you.

Healthwatch Cheshire’s Citizens Focus Panel enables us to get feedback on topical issues from a set group of Cheshire residents on a regular basis.

During the winter months of late 2020 and early 2021, the NHS in Cheshire joined with a range of public and voluntary sector partners to run a campaign called Help Us Help You. The aim was to support people to live healthy lives, self-care when safe to do so and choose the right service at the right time if medical help was needed. By doing this, the campaign also set out to reduce unnecessary demand on urgent and emergency care during one of the most difficult winters the NHS has ever faced.
This Citizens Focus Panel aims to help our local NHS and its partners measure the effectiveness of the campaign and to plan the campaign for this winter.

In July 2021, Healthwatch were approached by members of the Cheshire A&E Delivery Board to undertake an A&E Watch across the three A&E departments located in Cheshire. This was in the context of unprecedented levels of attendance in the departments, and pressures across the whole health and care system. Through the independent conversations Healthwatch could hold, partners sought to better understand the reasons why people were attending, specifically whether they had attempted to access any other services prior to going to A&E. A&E Watch allows Healthwatch Cheshire to gather the experiences of individuals, which provides additional rich and detailed information, enhancing the statistics regarding A&E attendance.

Healthwatch Cheshire have been keen to find out the opinions and experiences on the COVID-19 vaccination for people living in the Cheshire area aged between 18-30 years old.

Anecdotally, we’ve were told that there could be some hesitation amongst some people in this age group to get vaccinated, and as they are the current cohort eligible for their vaccination, it is useful to explore their views on the vaccine. This enables us to feed back people's views and perceptions to those organising the COVID-19 vaccination process, in order to influence the messaging used in encouraging people to take up their vaccine.

Due to the pandemic and guidance around social distancing, we have been unable to conduct our regular statutory Enter and View activity since March 2020, which serves to provide much of our intelligence around care homes and is a valuable resource both for commissioners and members of the public. Being unable to visit care homes and experience them first-hand during this period means that our ability to gain the views and experiences of those who use these services has been reduced.

To maintain our connection and to enable us to continue gathering opinions across Cheshire we developed two questionnaires to gain the views of those living in care homes, and care homes with nursing, and their experiences of care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and also of their friends and relatives.

This report details the findings from across Cheshire.

Due to the pandemic and guidance around social distancing, we have been unable to conduct our regular statutory Enter and View activity since March 2020, which serves to provide much of our intelligence around care homes and is a valuable resource both for commissioners and members of the public. Being unable to visit care homes and experience them first-hand during this period means that our ability to gain the views and experiences of those who use these services has been reduced.

To maintain our connection and to enable us to continue gathering opinions across Cheshire we developed two questionnaires to gain the views of those living in care homes, and care homes with nursing, and their experiences of care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and also of their friends and relatives.

This report details the findings from SMASH care community.

Due to the pandemic and guidance around social distancing, we have been unable to conduct our regular statutory Enter and View activity since March 2020, which serves to provide much of our intelligence around care homes and is a valuable resource both for commissioners and members of the public. Being unable to visit care homes and experience them first-hand during this period means that our ability to gain the views and experiences of those who use these services has been reduced.

To maintain our connection and to enable us to continue gathering opinions across Cheshire we developed two questionnaires to gain the views of those living in care homes, and care homes with nursing, and their experiences of care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and also of their friends and relatives.

This report details the findings from Nantwich care community.

Due to the pandemic and guidance around social distancing, we have been unable to conduct our regular statutory Enter and View activity since March 2020, which serves to provide much of our intelligence around care homes and is a valuable resource both for commissioners and members of the public. Being unable to visit care homes and experience them first-hand during this period means that our ability to gain the views and experiences of those who use these services has been reduced.

To maintain our connection and to enable us to continue gathering opinions across Cheshire we developed two questionnaires to gain the views of those living in care homes, and care homes with nursing, and their experiences of care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and also of their friends and relatives.

This report details the findings from Macclesfield care community.

Due to the pandemic and guidance around social distancing, we have been unable to conduct our regular statutory Enter and View activity since March 2020, which serves to provide much of our intelligence around care homes and is a valuable resource both for commissioners and members of the public. Being unable to visit care homes and experience them first-hand during this period means that our ability to gain the views and experiences of those who use these services has been reduced.

To maintain our connection and to enable us to continue gathering opinions across Cheshire we developed two questionnaires to gain the views of those living in care homes, and care homes with nursing, and their experiences of care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and also of their friends and relatives.

This report details the findings from Knutsford care community.

Due to the pandemic and guidance around social distancing, we have been unable to conduct our regular statutory Enter and View activity since March 2020, which serves to provide much of our intelligence around care homes and is a valuable resource both for commissioners and members of the public. Being unable to visit care homes and experience them first-hand during this period means that our ability to gain the views and experiences of those who use these services has been reduced.

To maintain our connection and to enable us to continue gathering opinions across Cheshire we developed two questionnaires to gain the views of those living in care homes, and care homes with nursing, and their experiences of care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and also of their friends and relatives.

This report details the findings from Crewe care community.

Due to the pandemic and guidance around social distancing, we have been unable to conduct our regular statutory Enter and View activity since March 2020, which serves to provide much of our intelligence around care homes and is a valuable resource both for commissioners and members of the public. Being unable to visit care homes and experience them first-hand during this period means that our ability to gain the views and experiences of those who use these services has been reduced.

To maintain our connection and to enable us to continue gathering opinions across Cheshire we developed two questionnaires to gain the views of those living in care homes, and care homes with nursing, and their experiences of care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and also of their friends and relatives.

This report details the findings from Congleton and Holmes Chapel care community.

Due to the pandemic and guidance around social distancing, we have been unable to conduct our regular statutory Enter and View activity since March 2020, which serves to provide much of our intelligence around care homes and is a valuable resource both for commissioners and members of the public. Being unable to visit care homes and experience them first-hand during this period means that our ability to gain the views and experiences of those who use these services has been reduced.

To maintain our connection and to enable us to continue gathering opinions across Cheshire we developed two questionnaires to gain the views of those living in care homes, and care homes with nursing, and their experiences of care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and also of their friends and relatives.

This report details the findings from Bollington, Disley and Poynton care community.

Due to the pandemic and guidance around social distancing, we have been unable to conduct our regular statutory Enter and View activity since March 2020, which serves to provide much of our intelligence around care homes and is a valuable resource both for commissioners and members of the public. Being unable to visit care homes and experience them first-hand during this period means that our ability to gain the views and experiences of those who use these services has been reduced.

To maintain our connection and to enable us to continue gathering opinions across Cheshire we developed two questionnaires to gain the views of those living in care homes, and care homes with nursing, and their experiences of care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and also of their friends and relatives.

This report details the findings from Alderley Edge, Chelford and Wilmslow care community.

Healthwatch Cheshire’s Citizens Focus Panel enables us to get feedback on topical issues from a set group of Cheshire residents on a regular basis.

Healthwatch Cheshire and members of the Strategic Collaborative Cheshire created a short, online survey to find out what people understand about palliative and end of life care and their attitudes to discussing death and dying. The findings of this report will be used by the SCC to inform the development of a long-term communications and engagement plan around palliative and end of life care.

Building on three years’ experience of working with partners, during March to May 2021 Healthwatch Cheshire worked in partnership with the Waterways Chaplaincy to raise awareness of a new GP Access Card and arrange for Boaters to receive them, as well as discuss the COVID-19 vaccine with the Boating Community.

This engagement took place as part of work with NHS Cheshire CCG, Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council, Healthwatch Halton, Healthwatch Warrington, and voluntary and community organisations to ensure that people know how they can access their vaccine.

Healthwatch Cheshire visited 45 marinas, designated moorings, canals, towns and villages on foot across Cheshire and Warrington and Halton, talking to 89 members of the boating community and marina staff to offer support, advice and guidance on a variety of subjects.

Healthwatch Cheshire have been asked by Healthwatch England and NHS England to create a methodology to be used as part of the development of the Integration Index. The Integration Index will measure how well services are providing joined-up care. Healthwatch Cheshire will develop a methodology using a project to understand whether there are currently good outcomes and a consistent approach to providing services for people with learning disabilities who have had an admission to hospital within the last three years and their unpaid/family carers. To do this, we have been talking to people to find out their experience of how well services are working alongside each other, and linking with our three local hospitals. In this report, we compare what people have told us about their experience to the policies of the health and care system, which outline the experience people should expect. This will help to obtain key information from people to inform the health and care system in measuring how well services are providing joined-up care; a key element of the Integration Index.

Since the beginning of May 2020, we have been asking Cheshire residents to tell us about their personal experiences during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. People shared their views and concerns on a wide range of topics, including health, care, mental health, wellbeing, and wider concerns both now and for the future.

Our initial reports based upon our findings from the Healthwatch Cheshire Health and Wellbeing During Coronavirus survey were published earlier in the year, and covered the period between May 2020 and 15th October 2020. Between 16th October 2020 and 23rd March 2021, Healthwatch Cheshire received a further 338 responses to our survey from local people across Cheshire East. This follow-up report covers the period up until the anniversary of the first lockdown announcement, and provides further insight into how people have coped during the pandemic, changes that may have occurred in relation to accessing services, and any concerns people have about the current situation and the future.

Across Cheshire, we received 2,430 responses between May 2020 and 23rd March 2021 (1,077 from Cheshire East), which equates to over 9,000 individual comments. This report focuses on the responses from people in Cheshire East since October 2020, and compares how they relate to our previous reports covering May to October 2020. This report breaks down the information to a local level, which allows Care Communities to better understand the views and needs of their local population.

Since June 2020, Healthwatch Cheshire (HWC) has received increasing numbers of calls asking for details of local dental practices taking on new NHS patients. This is being experienced across Cheshire. The main issues raised by people in regards to dentistry are summarised in this report.

Anecdotally, Healthwatch Cheshire have been hearing that there could be an issue amongst young women in regard to getting the COVID-19 vaccination due to concerns about how it may affect fertility. In partnership with NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Healthwatch Cheshire hosted a focus group to have an informal conversation with young women about their views and the views of their wider social circle on the vaccine, potential concerns, and what they think about messaging and effectives sources of information. This outline of the discussions held will be shared with communications colleagues in Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester Councils, NHS Cheshire CCG, and local hospital trusts, in order to influence communications messages around encouraging vaccine uptake amongst this cohort of people.

Since the beginning of May 2020, we have been asking Cheshire residents to tell us about their personal experiences during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. People shared their views and concerns on a wide range of topics, including health, care, mental health, wellbeing, and wider concerns both now and for the future.
This report details the findings from the Healthwatch Cheshire Health and Wellbeing During Coronavirus survey, from 4th May up until 15th October 2020. Across Cheshire, we received 1,661 responses during this period, which equates to over 6,000 individual comments. This report focuses on the 729 responses from people in Cheshire East, and breaks down the information to a local level. By presenting the information in this way, it allows Care Communities to better understand the views and needs of their local population. There are 8 Care Communities in Cheshire East, which aim to bring together people living, working or involved in an area to improve the health and wellbeing of local residents.

The Citizens Focus Panel is designed to enable us to get feedback on particular topics from a set group of Cheshire residents on a regular basis.

You can see the summary results of our Citizens Focus Panel survey on COVID-19 vaccinations here.

The Citizens Focus Panel is designed to enable us to get feedback on particular topics from a set group of Cheshire residents on a regular basis.

You can see the summary results of our Citizens Focus Panel survey on GP and Pharmacy access here.

The Citizens Focus Panel is designed to enable us to get feedback on particular topics from a set group of Cheshire residents on a regular basis.

You can see the summary results of our first Citizens Focus Panel survey on flu vaccinations here.

Since the beginning of May 2020, we have been asking Cheshire residents to complete a survey to tell us about their views and experiences during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic so we can understand what is working well and what could be improved, as well as considering people's mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic.

We have chosen to produce a report based on responses up until the end of Friday 3rd July 2020 as the survey has since been adapted to continue to provide relevant information following the changes in Government guidance that took effect on Saturday 4th July 2020. The survey is ongoing and we will continue to provide up to date information to partners and publish further reports on our websites.

Since the beginning of May 2020, we have been asking Cheshire residents to complete a survey to tell us about their views and experiences during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic so we can understand what is working well and what could be improved, as well as considering people's mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic.

We have chosen to produce a report based on responses up until the end of Friday 3rd July 2020 as the survey has since been adapted to continue to provide relevant information following the changes in Government guidance that took effect on Saturday 4th July 2020. The survey is ongoing and we will continue to provide up to date information to partners and publish further reports on our websites.

Healthwatch Cheshire's report based upon the feedback of health and care services given to us by the LGBTQ+ community at Pride events across Cheshire in 2019.

Healthwatch Cheshire were proud to have a unique opportunity to support local people who were deemed to be at high risk of the coronavirus pandemic.

In conjunction with Cheshire East Council’s Community Development Department and other community partners, we were able to help by volunteering to take on essential community tasks such as shopping, support phone calls and prescription collections.

We would like to share our experiences in this report.

Healthwatch Cheshire could not undertake all of our activity without the fantastic support of our current 83 volunteers who work with us to help make care better for their communities. Our volunteers work hard to raise awareness of the work we do in the community, visit services to make sure they’re meeting people’s needs and collecting people’s views and experiences which we use in our reports.

Since February 2020 we have been running a survey to ask our volunteers what they enjoy about volunteering with Healthwatch Cheshire, and what could be improved. Here is a summary of what you told us, based on the 27 responses we had received from our 83 volunteers, by 28th May 2020.

A&E Watch is designed to gain a snapshot view of the NHS Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments in Cheshire. Healthwatch Cheshire undertake A&E Watch periodically to gain experiences of patients and understand why they attended and how they thought services could be improved. This report is based upon our visits on 13th January 2020.

A&E Watch is designed to gain a snapshot view of the NHS Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments in Cheshire. Healthwatch Cheshire undertake A&E Watch periodically to gain experiences of patients and understand why they attended and how they thought services could be improved. On this occasion, Healthwatch Cheshire specifically visited Leighton Hospital on 7th October 2019 to follow up on the A&E Watch that took place on 11th February 2019.

During Healthwatch Cheshire East and Healthwatch Cheshire West’s general engagement activity, anecdotal reports were received of some unpaid carers not receiving or being aware of the benefits they are entitled to when registering as a carer with their GP Practice. Healthwatch Cheshire East and Healthwatch Cheshire West further explored this issue with focused activity to determine the experiences and awareness of unpaid carers around registering with their GP Practice as a carer and the benefits of registering for services to which they are entitled.

This report provides the Cheshire East Partnership with people’s views about the draft Cheshire East Five-Year Plan. It is designed to feed into the final published Plan which will define a health and wellbeing strategy for Cheshire East, and be presented to the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership (HCP).

The NHS has produced a Long Term Plan, setting out all the things it wants health services to do better for people across the country.

For these plans to work, the NHS needs to shape local plans based on local needs. We asked people #WhatWouldYouDo to improve local services in Cheshire and Merseyside.

303 residents, patients and their families from Cheshire East took part in ‘What Would You do?’ activities, which launched in March to encourage people to share their views on how extra money should be spent on local NHS services.

The NHS has produced a Long Term Plan, setting out all the things it wants health services to do better for people across the country.

For these plans to work, the NHS needs to shape local plans based on local needs. We asked people #WhatWouldYouDo to improve local services in Cheshire and Merseyside.

More than 2800 residents, patients and their families from Cheshire and Merseyside, took part in ‘What Would You do?’ activities, which launched in March to encourage people to share their views on how extra money should be spent on local NHS services.

Between September 2018 and February 2019, Healthwatch Cheshire East and Healthwatch Cheshire West undertook research regarding people’s experiences of using Sexual Health services. This was timed to coincide with the recommissioning process of Sexual Health Services in Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester.

Healthwatch Cheshire East and Healthwatch Cheshire West conducted a survey of people’s experiences of using services, desk-based research, Enter and View and Mystery Shopper reports of services in order to provide a detailed picture of the Sexual Health provision across Cheshire. This work follows on from our previous report in January 2017 which looked into Sexual Health services in Cheshire West and Chester.

This short report details the impact made during our Enter and View activity and the positive changes happening as a result of our visits. Evidence in this briefing has come from a range of Enter and View visits conducted by Healthwatch Cheshire West and Healthwatch Cheshire East from April 2017 up until November 2018.

As a result of feedback highlighting the challenges and barriers members of the boating community based in Cheshire experience in accessing health and care support and services, we undertook a project from November 2017 to February 2018 connecting with them to better understand the issues. In March 2018 we produced a report that detailed our findings. This report outlines the impact of our findings and how the issues raised are beginning to be addressed across Cheshire.

A&E Watch is designed to gain a snapshot view of the three NHS Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments in Cheshire. Healthwatch Cheshire undertake A&E Watch periodically to gain experiences of patients and understand why they attended and how they thought services could be improved. The purpose of A&E Watch is to explore themes emerging from the comments we have received about A&E during our regular general engagement activity.

This report gives an overview of the work of the Independent NHS Complaints Advocacy Service from 1 April 2017 up until 31 March 2018. It provides a summary of the service, its impact in assisting people through the NHS complaints process, and a summary of the themes and issues raised by people wishing to make complaints about NHS services in Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester.

In order to explore themes from our regular engagement activity, and to test out initiatives around delivery and choice in maternity services, we conducted a project using a survey to gain a local snapshot view of the two hospital trusts in Cheshire East providing maternity services.

In order to explore themes emerging from the comments we received regarding difficulties obtaining appointments, we decided to undertake a survey to gain an idea of people’s experiences and awareness of GP Extended Hours and Out of Hours services.

During engagement activity with the public it became evident that awareness of ‘Self Care’ is variable amongst the population, and so we decided to undertake a small study to ascertain whether people in Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester recognise the campaigns of ‘Self Care’, what they think about it, and if it is something which they practice.

We have connected with the boating community based in Cheshire, to research the issues that affect their access to these services.

In April and May of 2017, we conducted a priorities survey to establish what people felt were their key areas of concern relating to health and social care services.