Find out how Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire can help you by watching this video

Our aim is to improve health and social care services in Central Bedfordshire.

To do this we need your feedback about local GP surgeries, hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, opticians, social care, emergency care and community based health teams. With this, we are able to inform, liaise, influence and, if necessary, challenge decisions and plans.

For all of this, we need your help!

Please help us by sharing your experiences of all or any of these services by clicking on the button below.

Tell us when things are going well and when they’re not, so we can do something about it.

Accessing dental care in Central Bedfordshire

Many people have reported struggling to access NHS dentistry for routine care because practices are either not taking on new NHS patients or have no available NHS appointments, and the pandemic has made this even more difficult. We would like to hear from you about your experience.

We would like to hear from you about your experience so we can share this information with key stakeholders and NHS England, to help influence improvements to accessing NHS dental services across Central Bedfordshire.

What to expect when you arrive for your vaccination from a HWCB volunteer

Leighton Buzzard COVID Vaccination Centre has now vaccinated over 4000 people as at 24th January.

Brian Scott, Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire volunteer, has also been volunteering at the Leighton Buzzard Covid Vaccination Centre at the Rugby Club on Stanbridge Road, Bedfordshire LU7 9HR. Brian let’s us know what to expect when attending the centre for the vaccination.

You will be met on the drive by a volunteer who will check that you have an appointment, and ask if you have any mobility issues.  There are a number of wheelchairs on site and if one is needed, the transport can stop right outside the centre entrance where there are more volunteers to help.  When the patient is safely inside, or if help is not needed, then there is a large car park marshalled by yet more volunteers.

Once you get to the entrance, you will either be asked to wait a few moments in a heated marquee or you may go straight to reception where you will be booked in.

There are five vaccination pods, and a vaccinator. An administrator will check your details and ask about allergies, if you are feeling unwell etc. If all is well, you will receive the vaccination and be given a card with the vaccine information and date given. You will also be given a sticker with a time written on it (15 minutes after the injection) and you then wait in a heated, socially distanced, waiting area that is monitored by volunteers until that time has passed.

Patients should allow 30 minutes from arriving at the centre to leaving.  There are a large number of friendly volunteers on site always ready to help.

Giving children and Young People a voice

Young Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire gains Investing in Children Membership Award

Young Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire (YHWCB) are delighted to gain this recognition from Investing in Children.

Like to learn more about Young Healthwatch?

If you are under 25, why not consider becoming a member of Young Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire? Get in touch for more information.

YHW Digital Art by Daisy