News and reports

We want to hear from people who have contacted Rotherham Council’s Adult Social Care team. This might have been by phone, email, online form, or in person.

Adult Social Care is often the first place people go when they need help, advice, or support. Your experience can help us understand what is working well and what needs to improve.

Green social prescribing is a way for people to improve their health by taking part in nature‑based activities. Instead of relying only on medical treatments, it offers gentle, enjoyable ways to feel better through time outdoors.

Activities can include walking groups, gardening, wildlife sessions, outdoor crafts, and mindfulness in nature. These are designed to be welcoming, inclusive, and suitable for all abilities.

Healthwatch England's Blog - published on 9 November 2025

Veterans face unique challenges in getting the health care they need after they leave the military. Find out how Healthwatch teams across England have been helping veterans to get the care they need.

Healthwatch England's Blog - published on 5 November 2025

Our latest research shows that while most men turn to the NHS most often for information on staying healthy, one in five are now using platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube and almost one in 10 are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots.

HWE News - 8 December 2025

One in seven patients who have been referred by their GP are stuck waiting for specialist care due to GP referrals being delayed, lost, or rejected.

HWE Response - 5 January 2026

The Government have announced the first step in delivering the new NHS online hospital, allowing nine common conditions to receive faster access to specialist care

Enter & View Visit to Market Surgery, Wath

In November, Healthwatch Rotherham carried out an Enter & View visit to Market Surgery in Wath-upon-Dearne. These visits allow us to see services first-hand, speak directly with patients and staff, and understand how care is experienced by local people.

Overall, the feedback from patients was strongly positive. Many described Market Surgery as a caring, well-run practice with friendly and professional staff. Patients frequently told us they feel listened to, taken seriously, and treated with kindness and respect. The practice was also praised for its clean, welcoming environment and clear communication about next steps after appointments.

Staff shared pride in their work and spoke positively about teamwork and patient care, while also highlighting the pressures faced in a busy primary care setting. Despite these challenges, the practice continues to provide inclusive and innovative services, including nurse-led dementia care, sexual health services, and shared-care support for LGBTQ+ patients.

The visit also identified opportunities to further improve patient experience. These included strengthening privacy at the reception desk, improving communication around appointment delays and follow-up, enhancing accessibility for wheelchair users, and increasing awareness of how patients can give feedback or raise concerns.

Market Surgery welcomed the findings of the report and expressed their commitment to using patient and staff feedback to continue improving services.

We would like to thank the practice team for their openness and cooperation, and all the patients who took the time to share their experiences. Your feedback plays a vital role in shaping local health services.

📄 Read the full Enter & View report below to explore the findings, patient voices, and recommendations in detail.

The Rainbow Project Rotherham plays a vital role in creating safe, inclusive, and uplifting spaces for LGBTQ+ people across our community and this report shines a light on the real impact it has on local lives. Throughout October 2025, Healthwatch Rotherham spent time within the project’s groups and activities, listening to people’s experiences of support, wellbeing, identity, and access to health and care. What we heard was clear: The Rainbow Project provides not just services, but a sense of belonging, connection, and confidence for those who need it most. This report shares the voices of attendees, highlights the strengths of the project, and explores where greater understanding and support are still needed.

Most men would attend testing if the government introduced a national screening programme for prostate cancer, according to our new research.

November "You said, we did" report.
We've received lots of feedback regarding NHS and Social Care services and we've also provided information and signposting to those that need it.

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

This month we were heard from 78 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. We had a massive response at our outreach engagements totaling 275 people seen!

During several public engagement sessions conducted by Healthwatch Rotherham, concerns were raised about hospital referral waiting times. A number of individuals reported experiencing delays of several weeks for their referrals, with some expressing that they felt abandoned by the NHS during this period of uncertainty.
In response to these concerns, Healthwatch Rotherham launched a web-based SmartSurvey to gather data on patients' experiences of "waiting well" and to explore whether this approach had been recommended or supported by their healthcare professionals.