General Reports

Carer Experience of Hospital Discharge

A Project with the Commitment to Carers Programme team at NHS England and Improvement (NHSE/I)

Carers often feel overlooked, unsupported and exhausted by their caring role, and clearly feel that the process of recognising a Carer, and provision of the right support at the right time, is of paramount importance.

Seen and Heard Report

A Strong Voice for Local People

Local Healthwatch, from two areas of BLMK (Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough), worked together to organise and promote a focus group for members of the deaf community to attend, and give feedback, on their experience of accessing health and care services.

Festival for Older People 2021 Report

Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire (HWCB) was proud to host the 9th ‘Festival for Older People’ 2021. The Festival is held annually in October; in 2020 the event was held virtually, due to the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, however this year it was held face to face in a venue that is central to all residents of Central Bedfordshire.

Just Ask 2021 Report

During 2021, four ‘Just Ask’ events were held virtually via Zoom between April and July and two face to face events were held in August and September in Dunstable and Biggleswade respectively. After a very hard 18 months it was great to get back to some face to face engagement with the community.

Vaccine hesitancy among young people in Central Bedfordshire

In September 2021, Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire created a short snapshot survey to find out more about vaccine hesitancy amongst young people in our area. The results of the survey, including the key recommendations that emerged, can be read in our report.

Hospital to Home – Discharge to Assess Review

As a result of recent government guidance and national policy, Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire were approached by Central Bedfordshire Council to undertake a programme of engagement and develop a survey to determine, from local residents, their experience of hospital discharge in the last few months to help inform their ongoing work in this area and to achieve the best results for everyone. People and their families are central to decisions about their care and D2A can only work if information is shared properly.

Annual Report 2020-21

It has been a very challenging but rewarding year for Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire as staff, Directors and volunteers have worked tirelessly during the pandemic to ensure that the voice of local people continues to be heard, listened to and acted upon.

Despite limitations of engagement, we have continued to reach out to our community and offered help with signposting, advice and information.

People share their experiences of Living Through Lockdown 3.0

The Living through Lockdown 3.0 report was developed as a follow-up to our first report, ‘Listening in Action During Lockdown’ (published in June 2020), to include additional feedback from the public, and a further expansion of stories and experiences shared with HWCB reflecting life during Lockdown 3.0, including the support, advice and guidance provided.

People share their views on Dentistry Services in Central Bedfordshire 2021

We developed a dental survey for local residents to complete which was published on our website between January and February 2021. Our report gives a full analysis of the survey results, together with examples of how HWCB has supported local residents.

The report shows our findings and recommendations.

Advocacy Services 2021

To support future commissioning of advocacy services, Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) asked Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire (HWCB), as an independent organisation, to develop an online survey to gain valuable feedback from service users.

A full analysis of the survey results is given here, with additional comments from service users.

GP access during COVID-19

Healthwatch England’s new report looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way people access their GP and how this affected people’s experience of care.

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the way we use our GP practice. Instead of phoning for an appointment or walking-in to a surgery, access to care has rapidly moved to online bookings, and video and phone consultations.

Healthwatch England Hospital Discharge report

In this report, Healthwatch England share 590 people’s stories of leaving hospital during COVID-19.

The report focuses on the discharge process between March and August 2020 and shines a light on people’s experiences of getting home from hospital.

Virtual Festival for Older People 2020

This year the Festival for Older People (FOP) was delivered via virtual recordings and by a ‘Live’ Zoom event on 2nd October.

To provide an event that encompassed information, advice, entertainment and activities, HWCB took the decision to expand the Festival to a full week.

Listening in action during Lockdown

Support services changed how they delivered services, and priorities were reassessed to help form an NHS, and social care service, that could respond to the COVID-19 emergency.

Read how HWCB supported the local community.

Healthwatch England COVID-19 Report

From the stories shared with Healthwatch, it’s clear that people are immensely grateful for the sacrifices NHS and social care staff have made and their dedication to keeping us safe during the pandemic. However there are issues we can learn from.

Annual Report 2019-20

Our Annual Report showcases our achievements, reports on our finances and demonstrates how we have been working to improve health and social care services in Central Bedfordshire.

GP Website Survey Report

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Chair of Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire suggested that a survey be undertaken to investigate the extent of current information and advice provided on local GP surgery websites. This report shares our findings and recommendations.

D/Deaf Project Report

Access to Healthcare is a right afforded to all citizens in the United Kingdom through the NHS. Whilst no one would question this right, it is sometimes the case that people have difficulty accessing healthcare in a way that meets their individual needs. HWCB spoke with people within the D/deaf community and those who are hard of hearing to gather their views and experiences of accessing health services.

Festival for Older People 2019 Report

This event took place at The Rufus Centre, Flitwick on 4 October 2019. The report summarises the planning process, activities that took place on the day and some of the experiences of the visitors.

Just Ask 2019 Report Summary

The Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire engagement programme, Just Ask, visited seven locations during 2019. The report summarises the issues and concerns highlighted at the events, and how HWCB has helped to find resolutions.

Observational Visit to Luton Sexual Health Clinic

Young Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire conducted an observational visit to Luton Sexual Health Clinic on 28th June 2019.

The report includes examples of good quality services offered and recommendations, from a young person’s perspective, on areas that could be changed or improved.

Period Poverty project

Young Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire have been involved with the Red Box Project over the past 10 months.

The Red Box Project is a community-based, not-for-profit initiative which aims to support young people through their periods by providing Red Boxes filled with free period products to local schools.

The report covers the research Young Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire carried out and their findings.

First Aid Project Report, Young Healthwatch

Members of Young Healthwatch were keen to develop a project to ensure that young people receive basic first aid training to give them confidence in their ability to help prevent further injury or preserving life.

NHS Long Term Plan BMLK Place Report

This report shows what people would do to change services in their specific area: Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.

NHS Long Term Plan BMLK Scale Report

59% of people we spoke to would like to see changes made to their mental health support. Read more about what people would do to change services in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.

Annual Report 2018/19

Our Annual Report showcases our achievements, reports on our finances and demonstrates how we have been working to improve health and social care services in Central Bedfordshire.

Mental Health Report

Good mental health is key to everyone’s wellbeing. The fact that 1 in 4 adults experience at least one mental health problem in any given year suggests that it is a prevalent and enduring issue.

Women and Theatre Production – Phyllis

A thought-provoking play telling the story of one woman and her family attempting to navigate the complex system of older people’s care.

Read the feedback from the audience.

Just Ask 2018 Report

The Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire engagement programme, Just Ask, visited nine locations during 2018. The report summarises the issues and concerns highlighted at the events, and how HWCB has helped to find resolutions.

Festival for Older People 2018 Report

This event took place at The Rufus Centre, Flitwick on 5 October 2018. The report summarises the planning process, activities that took place on the day and some of the experiences of the visitors.

Integrated Urgent Care Contact Centre – Observation / Site Visit Report

We carried out an observation / site visit to Integrated Urgent Care Contact Centre, Gilbert Hitchcock House, Bedford on 11th November 2018.

The report shows our observations and recommendations.

MSK Survey

We conducted a survey to gather feedback from patients who have had experience of Circle MSK services in Bedfordshire.

Our new report details our findings and provides suggestions on how the service could be improved.

Annual Report 2017/18

Our Annual Report showcases our achievements, reports on our finances and demonstrates how we have been working to improve health and social care services in Central Bedfordshire.

Sandy Youth Mental Health Project Report

National statistics suggest that 10% of young people in Central Bedfordshire will experience a mental health issue. We have worked with Youth Action and Groundworks East to produce a report on local young people’s mental health & wellbeing

‘Just Ask’ Project 2017 Report

We have published our review of last year’s ‘JUST ASK’ project.

Read about where we visited, who we met and how the project has helped support local people.

Festival for Older People 2017 Report

This event took place at The Rufus Centre, Flitwick on 6October 2017. The report summarises the planning process, activities that took place on the day and some of the experiences of the visitors.

BLMK STP Snapshot Survey

Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire, Healthwatch Luton, Healthwatch Milton Keynes and Healthwatch Bedford Borough asked local residents if they were aware of the Bedfordshire, Luton & Milton Keynes (BLMK) Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP).

Falls Prevention Survey

Survey to establish older people’s understanding of preventing falls and how they could ‘future proof’ their homes.

Non-emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS) Survey
Results of a survey to gather patients feedback about the current transport service.

Annual Report 2016/17

Our Annual Report showcases our achievements, reports on our finances and demonstrates how we have been working to improve health and social care services in Central Bedfordshire.

Festival for Older People 2016 Report

Report on the Festival for Older People which took place in October 2016.

JUST ASK events 2016 Report

Report on the JUST ASK events that took place on the RAVE bus throughout 2016.

Domiciliary Care Survey 2016

Results of July 2016 survey on domiciliary care in Central Bedfordshire