1. Treating Minor Health Conditions is Changing

    Advice and Information -

    In March 2018 NHS England issued guidance that over the counter medicines for minor health conditions will no longer be routinely prescribed by a GP or other primary care service.

  2. Minor Health Problem? Same day appointments to be available at your local pharmacy

    News -

    From October this year, the new NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service will offer local pharmacy appointments to anyone calling NHS 111 about minor conditions such as earache or a sore throat..

  3. Consultation on pharmacy standards

    Report -

    The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) developed nine standards for Pharmacists to ensure that patients receive safe and effective care and can maintain and improve their health and wellbeing. Read about experiences local people shared with us.

  4. National roll-out of electronic prescription service

    News -

    The service will help GP's and pharmacists prescribe and dispense medicines faster and more securely and make it easier for patients to pick up repeat prescriptions.

  5. Have your considered getting the flu vaccination this winter and do you know the flu facts?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out more about the flu and how to get vaccinated with the latest advice.

  6. You can now book yourself onto "Diabetes Book and Learn"

    Advice and Information -

    You will now be able to book yourself on the "Diabetes Book and Learn" service for people living with Type 2 diabetes in South London.

  7. Healthcare experts in Wandsworth are urging patients to visit their pharmacist at the first sign of a minor illness this winter

    News -

    Find out more about how a Pharmacy in Wandsworth could help you quickly get some advice if you are feeling unwell.

  8. What can you expect when using a pharmacy?

    Advice and Information -

    The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is the regulator for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacies in Great Britain. Find out what they say about what you should be expecting from pharmacy services.

  9. Enter & View visit to St George’s Hospital – Departure (Discharge) Lounge

    Report -

    We went to speak to people who were discharged from St George's Hospital via their Departure Lounge. Read our report about what people told us and what the hospital will be doing about our recommendations.

  10. How to access care during the Coronavirus pandemic

    Advice and Information -

    We’re here to help during this difficult time. On this page we have collected information about services you can access during the Coronavirus lockdown.

  11. Ten minutes with community pharmacist Mayank Patel

    News -

    Community pharmacists do much more than dispense medicines as Mayank Patel of Pearl Chemist Tooting explains.

  12. Survey: Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA)

    News -

    The PNA is used to ensure that pharmacy services meet the needs of the population in Richmond and Wandsworth. This includes where services are and what services are provided by the pharmacy/pharmacies near you.

  13. Group A Strep - What you need to know

    News -

    Cases of Invasive Group A Strep (iGAS) are rare. Some current cases are presenting with sepsis-like symptoms.

  14. Flu vaccine: What you need to know

    News -

    Not sure whether you’re eligible for a flu vaccine or how to get it? Read our frequently asked questions.

  15. Know where to go if you need medical advice, but it's not an emergency

    News -

    Know where to go if you or someone you know need medical advice, but its not an emergency

  16. New hearing health service in local pharmacies

    Advice and Information -

    People in Merton and Wandsworth who are suffering from blocked ears or gradual hearing loss can now get NHS help at local pharmacies.

  17. Findings from Healthwatch Assembly event about GP services - March 2023

    Report -

    This report outlines what we spoke about at our recent Healthwatch Assembly where we discussed GP services with members of the public and health care professionals.

  18. Healthwatch Wandsworth Assembly 2024: Access to non-urgent care

    Report -

    Read about our 2024 Healthwatch Assembly focused on accessing non-urgent care.

  19. Registering with your GP: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    People have told us they can have problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register.

  20. Talking to Your GP about Mental Health

    Report -

    As you told us that mental health is one of the most important aspects of health and social care, we made it a top priority for this year.

  21. Making the most of your GP appointment

    Report -

    GP appointments in the UK are the shortest in Europe, so we tried to find out how people can maximise the benefit of time spent with their GP. Read more about what local people told us.

  22. Communication with Health Professionals

    Report -

    At our events we often hear that communication with healthcare professionals could be better.
    In September 2018, local people discussed how professionals could better
    listen to our feedback and involve us in decisions.

  23. Extended GP Opening Hours in Wandsworth

    Advice and Information -

    Good news - If you are registered with a GP in Wandsworth you can now book an appointment between the hours of 8am and 8pm.

  24. What do you think defines 'Good' Mental Health Care?

    Advice and Information -

    Mental health is consistently one of the top issues people tell their local Healthwatch about. Over one million adults in England currently use NHS mental health services, but what should they expect when it comes to the care they receive?

  25. Bowel Cancer Awareness

    Advice and Information -

    Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer but it is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early.

  26. News from the Healthwatch Wandsworth Assembly - 27 September 2017

    Report -

    We covered many things at our Assembly in September including our local health and wellbeing hub resource, making the most of a GP appointment and how St George's Hospital understands patient experience. More information is available in our report.

  27. Healthwatch Wandsworth Assembly - 8 February 2017

    Report -

    Our event in February focused on electing our new Healthwatch Executive and changes to the way that health services in our community work together and be co-ordinated by a new organisation. Find out more what happened at our event.

  28. Healthwatch Assembly - 2nd March 2016

    Report -

    We held an event in March about new developments to our local health services and a service that could help people who have complaints about NHS services. If you couldn't be there, you can still find out more in our report.

  29. Health Visiting Service

    Report -

    We spoke to local families about their experiences of Health Visiting services. We asked them if they understood the role of the Health Visitor (HV) and the kind of service they should expect from them. Find out what they said.

  30. Choosing an online healthcare service

    Advice and Information -

    Online healthcare services can be a convenient way to get medical advice, treatment and medicines. Find out a few tips for getting what you need from these services.

  31. Healthwatch Wandsworth report on Sheltered Housing schemes in Wandsworth

    Report -

    Healthwatch Wandsworth visited sheltered schemes in Wandsworth. This work was done in partnership with the Older Peoples Forum

  32. Launch of Wandsworth's Health and Care Plan

    News -

    The Wandsworth Health and Care Plan was launched on 7th October as a collaborative plan to tackle key health issues in the borough. Read more about the plans.

  33. Every Mind Matters

    News -

    Read about a new NHS initiative which asks "What is Mental Health?"

  34. The Eve Appeal

    Advice and Information -

    The Eve Appeal has launched cancer, cancer risk, and cancer screening information, specifically for the transgender, non-binary and intersex communities, as well as tips for healthcare professionals in supporting their patients during screenings.

  35. Do you know what Social Prescribing is about? Find out more on Social Prescribing Day 2020

    News -

    ​​​​​​​ The second annual Social Prescribing Day will take place on March 12th 2020.

  36. Drop-in clinics to help tackle measles outbreak

    Advice and Information -

    The council has organised special MMR vaccination catch-up clinics to help tackle an outbreak of measles in Wandsworth.

  37. Digital & Telephone Appointments Survey

    News -

    We are appealing for people in Wandsworth to share their experiences of accessing health and care during coronavirus.

  38. Help health and social care services recover from coronavirus #BecauseWeAllCare

    News -

    Two-thirds of people in England say they are more likely to act to improve health and social care services since the outbreak of coronavirus. Help services improve and join our campaign #BecauseWeAllCare to encourage people to share their experience.

  39. The NHS in Wandsworth is here for you

    News -

    As part of the NHS is here for you campaign, the NHS in Wandsworth have created a short film offering reassurance to local people that it is safe to return to the NHS for treatment.

  40. Digital & Telephone Appointments Survey

    News -

    Healthwatch Wandsworth want to hear more about your experiences of video or telephone appointments with health and social care services.

  41. Wandsworth experiences of digital and telephone health and care appointments

    Report -

    We worked with the local NHS on a survey on digital and telephone appointments with focused interviews with elderly residents and people with learning disabilities and people with autism. Over 500 people took part. Read what they had to say.

  42. Experiences of perinatal mental health in Wandsworth

    Report -

    Read more about the experiences of mental health for new parents in Wandsworth. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences we have a number of recommendations to improve perinatal mental health support in Wandsworth.

  43. Experiences of managing health and care during the coronavirus pandemic 2021

    Report -

    Read more about the experiences of people living in Wandsworth about what they feel has worked well or less well for health and social care services during the coronavirus pandemic and how things should develop in the future.

  44. Experiences of Long Covid

    Report -

    Read more about the experiences of people living in Wandsworth and neighbouring boroughs about managing Long Covid or long-term effects of another virus, and about the health and social care available in the borough for these conditions.

  45. Getting a healthcare appointment as the pandemic continues – Feb 2022 update

    News -

    You may have heard a lot in the news about the various difficulties patients face in getting appointments or progress on their health and care management. Read more about the situation locally.

  46. Navigating healthcare online in Wandsworth for seniors

    Advice and Information -

    In October 2021, Healthwatch Wandsworth and Superhighways, a digital support charity specialising in working with people who have limited digital skills, offered senior residents in Wandsworth a guided tour of health and care services in the borough.

  47. Get ready this festive season: community conversations about keeping well and hear more about getting vaccinated

    News -

    South West London webinars with a local GP on how people can stay well over the festive period