What do you think about mental health care for women?💬❣️ Are you on a waiting list to receive support? Have you recently been diagnosed with a mental health condition? We would love to hear your thoughts in our survey: https://bit.ly/47WC3CD

This #BowelCancerAwarenessMonth we’re supporting @bowelcanceruk’s #PassItOn campaign. They’re asking everyone to help raise vital awareness so everyone has the best chance of an early diagnosis. Get involved today and #PassItOn. https://bit.ly/4sJYMcT

This #BowelCancerAwarenessMonth, I’m helping @bowelcanceruk raise vital awareness, so everyone has the best chance of early diagnosis. Getinvolved and #PassItOn. https://bit.ly/4sJYMcT

Autistic people still face barriers in health, education & employment. Some organisations are supporting autism awareness this April, including the Workplace 5k Challenge from the National Autistic Society. 💬 We want to hear your experiences: https://bit.ly/3QLoxZw

If only it were an April Fools’ joke that people don’t feel taken seriously when seeking care… Unfortunately, we hear this too often. But no joke, your views can help change that. Share your experience: https://bit.ly/3QLoxZw

This Share for Better Care Week, share your experiences with health and social care services in your local area by turning brief pauses in your day into positive impact #ShareForBetterCare 🏥 Share feedback about services in Westmorland and Furness via our website or by contacting us directly🔗

Women’s mental health matters 💗 We’re asking women in Westmorland & Furness to share their experiences — what’s worked and what hasn’t. Your voice can help improve local support. 📝 Take the survey: https://bit.ly/HW-womens-mental-health

Healthwatch Westmorland and Furness worked with partners across the North East & North Cumbria to hear people’s real experiences of GP care, the NHS App and Pharmacy First. This insight is already being used to shape improvements in primary care. Read more: https://bit.ly/4sl08ev

On Wednesday, our new Engagement Officer Kelsey joined the Healthwatch Cumberland team at an event in Carlisle aimed at supporting young mums.✨ Kelsey got stuck in speaking to the mums about their experiences of support and care during and after pregnancy.

A new report from The King’s Fund highlights why independent patient voice matters: https://bit.ly/47Uv9xs Plans to bring these roles “in-house” could impact trust and accountability in health & care. 👉 Read more: https://bit.ly/4bRIpFE

“I can’t get a face-to-face GP appointment. I’ve waited 3 weeks for a telephone call.” We heard from a local patient worried about managing high blood pressure while waiting for care. Read more 👇 https://bit.ly/4lEfdoY Have you experienced delays?

Steve and Kelsey are at Westmorland General Hospital today until 2pm 👋 They’re speaking to patients, visitors and staff about their experiences of health and social care services, gathering feedback to help improve local services. If you’re around, please come and say hello!

Sophie & Steve are at Furness General Hospital today (11am–2pm) chatting to patients, visitors & staff about health & care experiences 💬 They’re also gathering feedback for our Women’s Mental Health Survey — come say hello! Take the survey: https://bit.ly/HW-womens-mental-health

Our Engagement Officer Kelsey joined Healthwatch Lancashire’s Emmy to speak with students at Lancaster & Morecambe College about their views on health and wellbeing services. Great to work with neighbouring Healthwatch colleagues to make sure young people’s voices are heard.

🌟 It’s #YoungCarersActionDay! Young carers do incredible things every day, and they deserve recognition, support & Fair Futures💛 Find out more here:🔗 carers.org/young-carers-action-day

Alongside Healthwatch Cumberland, this Women's History Month we'll be asking women and girls about their experiences of mental health services in Cumbria. Your views can help improve local support. 📝 Take our survey: https://bit.ly/4cyjU1a ⏰ Open until 30 April 2026

We’re hearing about increasing cold and flu absences locally. Check your eligibility and book via the NHS website: 🔗 https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-vaccine/ If you’ve recently had the flu jab, how was your experience?

Flu cases are rising and getting your flu jab is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself and those around you. Find out if you're eligible and book here: 🔗

We want to hear from disabled, deaf and neurodivergent people about palliative and end-of-life care. Your experiences can help services understand what works, what could improve, and how to support people so they feel listened to and respected. Take part (closes 9 Feb): https://bit.ly/4szQ95B

Jess’s Rule reminds GPs to re-examine persistent symptoms after 3 appointments without a diagnosis, helping prevent missed illnesses. Have you experienced delays in care? Share your story. Read more: https://bit.ly/4jXNAGE

Your voice matters 🧡 We want to hear from people with a learning disability about end-of-life care. The survey is anonymous and can be completed on your own, or with help from someone you trust. Your experiences can help make care kinder and easier to understand: https://bit.ly/4szQ95B

Out and about this #BrewMonday ☕ We shared brews, conversations and a reminder that no one has to feel unheard when it comes to health and care. Thanks to everyone who welcomed us in along the way 💙

Thinking about death, dying or end-of-life care can bring up difficult feelings. If you’d like to talk to someone or find out more, these organisations offer kind, confidential support: Northern Cancer Alliance 💙 Information and guidance about cancer care across the North East and North Cumbria

It’s Brew Monday ☕ Sometimes the best thing you can do is stop and have a brew. Today we’re sharing a cuppa and a reminder that if you’ve ever felt unheard when it comes to health and care, you’re not alone. We’re here to listen 💙 #BrewMonday #Healthwatch #YouAreNotAlone #BlueMonday

Living in a rural or coastal area can affect how and where people receive end of life care. Your experiences can help shape care that’s more local, accessible and responsive to people’s needs. Share your views here (closes 9th Feb): https://bit.ly/4szQ95B

A new monthly, volunteer-led support group is launching at CancerCare Kendal for people affected by skin cancers of the face, scalp and neck. 🗓 From Monday 1 December ⏰ 11.15am – 1.00pm 📍 Kendal Centre Open to anyone affected 💚 📧 [email protected]  📞 01539 735800

We’re supporting the NHS in North East & North Cumbria to understand people's thoughts about #EndOfLife care.  The survey is anonymous and takes a few minutes. Share your views (closes 9 Feb): https://bit.ly/4sxueMb

We’ve moved 👋 Our website has a new home but everything you need is still there including our projects, reports and ways to share your experiences. 🔗 Visit our new site here: https://wearepeoplefirst.co.uk/healthwatch-westmorland-and-furness/ #Healthwatch #Barrow #Ulverston #Kendal

Cumbria Health wants your views! Take 2 mins to complete their survey on support for patients waiting for virtual GP or home visits: https://bit.ly/49I4gOK Survey closes 30 Jan 2026. Your feedback helps make care clearer and more accessible. #HealthSurvey #PatientVoices #CumbriaHealth

Work in health or social care in Cumbria? The Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board (CSAB) workforce survey is now live. ✔ Takes 5–7 mins ✔ Anonymous ✔ Helps improve safeguarding practice 👉 Take part: https://bit.ly/49Hxa1l Please share with colleagues.

Warm Spots and Hubs across Cumbria offer safe, friendly spaces where anyone can drop in for warmth, company and connection. Find your nearest Warm Spot: • Cumberland Council area: https://bit.ly/3K7nxiN • Westmorland & Furness Council area: https://bit.ly/4ap11fR #WarmHubsCumbria

Goodbye 2025, hello 2026! 🥂🎉 Thanks to everyone in Westmorland & Furness who shared feedback and helped improve health & social care. Here’s to a new year of hope, health & community! 🌟

December: NHS dentistry in the spotlight 🦷 Our research with 3,500 people across NENC made national news, showing 71% think NHS dentistry is worse than last year. Access, travel and inequalities put residents at risk.  Read more about our findings: https://bit.ly/3MPbp6O

Be prepared over the festive holidays by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at  home. Paracetamol, plasters, indigestion remedy, allergy relief and anti-diarrhoea medicine are a  good start.  Find pharmacy bank holiday opening hours: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy

November: Bringing health to the auction mart 🐄 We joined KICC & the Rural Chaplaincy at Junction 36 Auction Mart, connecting with farmers and rural residents. Conversations covered GPs, A&E waits, mental health & transport. Leila even stepped into the auction ring!

October: Transport to healthcare 🚍 Leila & Lisa travelled across Westmorland & Furness, hearing residents’ experiences of buses, trains & community routes. With 500+ survey responses highlighting missed appointments & travel costs, we're eager to make healthcare journeys easier for everyone.

Warm Spots and Hubs across Cumbria offer safe, friendly spaces where anyone can drop in for warmth, company and connection. Find your nearest Warm Spot: • Cumberland Council area: https://bit.ly/3K7nxiN • Westmorland & Furness Council area: https://bit.ly/4ap11fR

September: Community voices shaping EDI We joined the Council’s EDI Extravaganza in Kendal, sharing insight on accessibility, transport barriers and rural isolation Working with partners including Autus and the Cumbria Deaf Association, we helped ensure lived experience informs inclusive decisions

Help shape NHS services in 2026 ✨ As we head into the new year, we’re asking people in Eden to share their experiences of: • GP access • Pharmacy First • The NHS App Your feedback helps Healthwatch raise local voices with decision-makers. 👉 Take the survey here: https://bit.ly/49jd1OX

August: Supporting our Armed Forces On 7th Aug, 100+ people gathered in Westmorland & Furness to celebrate and support veterans, serving personnel & families.  Healthwatch listened to experiences to help shape better health & social care for this vital community.

July: Healthwatch Together shaping NHS services 🏥 Our team joined colleagues from across Healthwatch Together at a commissioning session with Lancashire & South Cumbria ICB, sharing insights on transport, women’s health, autism & ageing well – making sure patient voices guide local NHS decisions.

Merry Christmas from Healthwatch Westmorland and Furness 🎄 We hope you have a peaceful and joyful Christmas, however and wherever you’re spending it ❤️

June: Ambitious workplan launched  Built on local voices, our 2025–26 plan focuses on neurology, transport, women’s health & safeguarding. Listening, learning & acting on feedback drives everything we do. #Healthwatch #PatientVoices #WestmorlandAndFurness

Your voice still matters this winter ❄️ Have you used your GP, local pharmacy, or the NHS App recently? We’re collecting feedback from people across Eden to help improve access to NHS services in 2026. It only takes around 5 minutes to complete our survey: https://bit.ly/49jd1OX

May: Let’s Talk Women’s Health 💛 We hosted Healthwatch England Chair Sir David Croisdale-Appleby in Kendal for our first Let’s Talk Women’s Health event. Women, charities and local NHS reps shared priorities and ideas, helping shape services and amplify local voices.

Over Christmas and New Year, urgent and emergency care services will be open. Call 999 or go to A&E in the event of a life or limb threatening emergency.  For non-emergency health advice, people should use 111.nhs.uk as their first port of call. If you cannot access 111 online, please call 111.

April: Celebrating our 2nd Anniversary 🎂 We came together for discussion, planning, and of course, birthday cake 🎉 A wonderful chance to reflect and celebrate the incredible contribution of our volunteers — at the heart of everything we do!

Concerned about someone's safety this Christmas?  To report a safeguarding concern: W&F Adult Social Care Telephone: 0300 373 3301 Out of Hours telephone: 01539 768700 If you are at immediate risk of harm contact the police by calling 999. If the person is not in immediate danger call 101.

March: Bringing services together in Appleby 🤝 We hosted our first health & wellbeing event, connecting local groups from Carer Support to libraries & leisure providers. Our team heard feedback on GP services, neurology, autism & ADHD — a reminder of the power of community!

@england.nhs.uk has published a set of principles for health services to follow when providing chaperones to patients, for example, during intimate examinations. They're there to reassure and advocate for the patient.  👉 https://bit.ly/48JKiCZ