News and reports

Thanks to residents speaking up, patients across Sussex can access a new non-emergency patient transport service.

The Government has published its NHS 10-Year Health Plan for England. Read our response.

A year after the launch of Pharmacy First, the NHS scheme designed to speed up treatment for common conditions, we have published a new poll of over 7,000 adults’ experience of using pharmacies.

You said, we did - June 2025

“Protect the Independent Patient Voice,” says Healthwatch Rotherham
June 30, 2025

On 14th April and 13th May 2025, trained representatives from Healthwatch Rotherham visited Swallownest Court to carry out an Enter and View visit.

The purpose of the visit was to:
● collect the views from patients, families, volunteers and staff on services
● observe how the facility operates and provides its services
● identify ‘Best Practice’ and highlight any areas of concern

We spoke to staff and patients and you can find out about our observations, survey results and recommendations in our report below.

A second opinion is when you choose to request the expertise of another healthcare professional after you've been given a diagnosis or treatment plan. What are the new rules about second opinions and and how can you request one?

In our annual report we share the issues we've worked on over the last year and the impact we've had.

Your feedback and experiences help us make a difference to health and social care.

Find out about some of the ways in which we've worked together with the local community and organisations to help make health and social care better in Rotherham.

Our You said, we did' report for May 2025 is now available.

This month we were contacted by 60 people who either shared their experiences of health and social care services, or asked for information and signposting help. Our report highlights some of the things we heard and some of the actions we have taken, as well as some of the feedback given to us.

Our Strategic Advisory Board meets every month to steer the strategic direction of Healthwatch Rotherham, ensuring that our vision, aims and values are upheld. The Strategic Advisory Board helps to deliver an effective Healthwatch service in line with current legislation.

To find out more about what we discussed in our latest Strategic Advisory Board meeting please see the minutes below.

Everyone who uses the NHS in England could soon have a single patient record that brings together important information about your health care. So how and where are your records kept now, how can you view them, and what do you do if you find mistakes in them?

On Tuesday 13th May 2025, our Community Engagement & Projects Officer Andrea, travelled to Landmarks Specialist College in Rotherham to deliver a Let’s Talk on personal hygiene. She was joined by Leiann Musgrave, Oral Health Improvement Lead from Rotherham Children’s Public Health Nursing service.