Welcome to our Spring Newsletter

Dear Healthwatch Members

In the winter edition of our Newsletter, we talked about 2019 being an eventful year.
Looking forward to 2020 little did we know what was ahead and how
COVID-19 would be affecting our lives.
In light of recent Public Health and Healthwatch England advice, we have been reviewing our activity in response to the Coronavirus outbreak and this Newsletter focusses mainly on supporting the health and social care system to get important advice and information to our communities regarding the pandemic.

Geoff Brown our Chief Executive sends a personal message to you all

He talks about our work during this time and highlights some useful sources of information. Click below to read his message.

Important changes to NHS Service arrangements due to the Coronavirus outbreak and the pressure on our local hospitals

Changes to outpatient appointments
There have been local changes to the provision of outpatient appointments.
To find out more click here

Restrictions to visitation
To protect NHS staff and patients, and in line with National guidance there have been restrictions placed on most hospital visitation. To read more click here.

Changes to hospital discharge in response to Coronavirus

So that they can look after patients with acute needs, hospitals are changing hospital discharge arrangements. To find out more click here.

Looking after your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak

Coronavirus is affecting all our daily lives and the Government has released new guidance, providing advice on how to take care of your mental health and wellbeing during the outbreak. Follow this link to read more.

NHS allowed to pause processing of complaints during Coronavirus pandemic

A system wide “pause” of the NHS complaints process has been approved to allow all health care providers in all sectors to concentrate their efforts on the front-line duties and responsiveness to COVID19. To find out what this means click here.

Here is an update on other projects that we have been working on recently...

Non-Emergency Transport Survey (NEPTS)
In October 2018, The East of England Ambulance Trust (EEAST) took over the delivery of the Non-Emergency Transport Service within Hertfordshire. We recently carried out a survey to find out if experiences had changed since the new provider arrangements. The full report and findings can be found here

Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Review
Healthwatch Hertfordshire alongside Healthwatch Hillingdon has been supporting the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Review led by NHS England Specialised Commissioning. To find out more about the review please click here

We have been working on other important research projects but we postponed activity due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Improving Health and Wellbeing of Children in Stevenage
In February, we launched a new project working with the University of Hertfordshire, Stevenage Borough Council and health and research partners across the region to build a health and wellbeing research partnership with children and their facilities living in the moist socio-economically challenged areas of Stevenage.
Here is an update regarding this work.

Improving Health Outcomes for People with a Learning Disability
We also worked with our Learning Disability Service Watch Group to co-produce an Annual Health Check research project. The findings so far are here

Please continue to visit our website and we will continue to keep you informed of developments. Everyone at Healthwatch Hertfordshire wishes that you stay safe and healthy.