Today marks a significant moment for mental health in England as the #MentalHealthBill receives Royal Assent. Read our full response: https://amhp.org.uk/mental-health-bill-receives-royal-assent/

We wish you all the best for Christmas and the New Year. Our office is closed until 5 Jan. However, we'll check the phone and email, so please get in touch and we'll respond as soon as we can. And don't forget our winter services list if you need support: www.healthwatchyork.co.uk/resource-hub...

Thanks to everyone in York who shares their experiences with us. Your voice counts. This latest report from @healthwatchengland.bsky.social highlights significant problems with urgent dental access. People are living in pain because they can't access help when they need it. #dentistry

Strike action starts from 7am Wednesday 17 December and runs until 7am Monday 22 December. Some NHS services will be affected. Here’s what you need to know about accessing NHS care during this time ⬇️.

Live in York? Need some support over the Christmas break? Find useful sources of help and advice on our winter services list here: www.healthwatchyork.co.uk/seecmsfile/?...

Live in York? Need some support over the Christmas break? Find useful sources of help and advice on our winter services list here: www.healthwatchyork.co.uk/seecmsfile/?...

December 15th. Thank you for being #ThereForME, Nicky Proctor! Nicky is an advocate for people with ME, who volunteers with various ME organisations - including #ThereForMe. Nominated by Odette & the York ME Community slow-lane.bsky.social#ThereForME#ThereForMe✨

If you are a woman and have experience of one or more long term health conditions we want to hear from you. Please fill in our short, anonymous survey to share what happened/is happening to you: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/77KRR3/

Benedict Knox, our Head of Communications, explains that our latest research shows that 98% patient satisfaction with a GP referral is possible when four steps are followed. https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/news/2025-12-04/one-seven-patients-stuck-gp-referrals-black-hole

It’s International Day of Disabled People! 🌍 To foster inclusive societies, we must end the barrier of access uncertainty. Your disabled access review on EuansGuide.com makes a real difference. Share your experience to help build inclusion today! 👉 buff.ly/xRI1Wou

If you are a woman and have experience of one or more long term health conditions we want to hear from you. Please fill in our short, anonymous survey to share what happened/is happening to you: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/77KRR3/

Today the BSL Advisory Board published an important report into health and social care. This report confirms what we see every day and we are ready to work with the NHS and Government to implement the 12 recommendations: signhealth.org.uk/resources/he... #StillSickOfIt #WhereIsOurAccess

We've heard from 69 people so far in November, telling us their experiences of health and care services. It is mixed feedback including issues with support in hospital and the impact of waiting times for young people's mental health and wellbeing. Share your experience: [email protected]

Find out what experiences that 356 people have shared with Healthwatch York in the last quarter. There's feedback about all the city's health and care services with a mix of themes. Find out more at: www.healthwatchyork.co.uk/seecmsfile/?...

York VCSE Homelessness Support Network meeting (happening this Wed 19) brings together org working to support people experiencing homelessness in York to help shape future plans. Book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/york-homelessness-support-network-meeting-tickets-1858400187989?aff=oddtdtcreator

@hnypartnership.bsky.social would love to hear from anyone across Yorkshire with experience of accessing or trying to access urgent dental care. Complete their survey here: forms.office.com/e/Mgaeg0vnjN

BBC analysis shows that only 3 NHS Trusts are meeting waiting times for cancer. York & Scarborough Trust is gets people on to treatment in a timely way after diagnosis, but misses 2 targets: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... Feedback about local cancer services is mostly good. What's your experience?

The first report of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Emergency Care has revealed the scale of corridor care in England, and the harrowing impact it has on patients. The report, built on research compiled by RCEM through data, surveys and patient testimony, is here: rcem.ac.uk/press-rel...

Very worrying news from the BBC about ADHD assessments: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

It's York Disability Week from 29 Nov to 6 Dec and the programme of events is out. There is a lot going on, with something for everyone. Have a look at the programme and plan what you will go to: sites.google.com/view/iddpyor... #YDW25

Share your experiences of welfare assistance in York on 6 Nov 11.30am - 2.30pm at York Medical Society. It is a drop in interactive event and part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, delivered by University of York and co-produced by York residents. Book at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/breaking-d...

Our 5 Nov VoICeS meeting is about women's health, particularly experiences of long term conditions. It's 10am - 12pm, in person and on Zoom. Everything share is anonymous. Email to get the Zoom link: [email protected], or if you want to share your experience, but can't make the meeting.

The Local Welfare Safety Net project is a @lbfew.bsky.social funded collaboration of advice and research partners in York. This co-produced event will collect vital evidence about how best to support those in need of additional financial assistance so please come along and share your thoughts.

York pharmacy closures second worst in country say National Pharmacy Association www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Questions about menopause are due to be introduced into health checks from next year: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... Do you think this is a good idea?

ICYMI: Why abolishing Healthwatch is a mistake and why we shouldn’t give up the fight for independent voice. localdemocracyandhealth.com/2025/09/14/d... from the rather wonderful @markgamsu.bsky.social

The #AccessibleInformation Standards are a legal requirement and commit to ensuring that services are more inclusive for all🧏 Ensure your services are compliant with these steps; - Ask  - Record - Flag - Share - Act - Review  More information on the NHS website🔗 https://bit.ly/46wcpnX #AIS

A national report highlighting one of the problems we found locally www.healthwatchyork.co.uk/seecmsfile/?.... We need better support for early menopause, and for women to be believed when they say something isn’t right…. #womenshealth

Share your experiences of welfare assistance in York on 6 Nov 11.30am - 2.30pm at York Medical Society. It is a drop in interactive event and part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, delivered by University of York and co-produced by York residents. Book at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/breaking-d...

As part of the Urgent Dental Care review in Yorkshire and the Humber, the dental team would like you to complete a short patient experience survey to better understand experiences of Urgent Dental Care. Feedback from the survey will support future dental plans. forms.office.com/e/Mgaeg0vnjN

Please do come to our event about women's health. It will be a hybrid meeting. Let us know if you want the Zoom link: [email protected] or 01904 621133.

We're joining the Retreat and others at York Explore tomorrow (11 October) for a signposting event. Come and find out more about support around mental health, neurodiversity, early parenting challenges and more.

It's world mental health day. If you live in York and need support, our mental health and wellbeing guide can let you know who can help: www.healthwatchyork.co.uk/resource-hub... Let us know if you need a paper copy and we'll put one in the post: [email protected] or 01904 621133.

It was incredibly powerful to be able to listen to people’s testimony about current mental health services and support, and what we need to reflect on going forward. With thanks to @healthwatchyork.bsky.social and the new Chief Executive at @tewv.bsky.social #York #MentalHealth For more see comment👇

It's breast cancer awareness month. Find out more, book in for screening and keep safe: www.breastcanceruk.org.uk/breast-cance...

Our next VoICeS meeting focuses on women's health, particularly long term conditions. It's on Weds 5 November, 10am - 12pm at Priory Street Centre. Share your experiences of conditions including ME/CFS, POTS, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, osteoperosis and more. All welcome, no booking needed.

Our report on unequal ageing shows that in the ten years from 2012 to 2022, the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber have seen rates of poverty among people aged 65 and over rise by 10% #OlderPersonsDay www.thenhsa.co.uk/2025/06/olde...

All GP practices now have to offer online booking for appointments: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... Many York practices already do this. What is your experience and what do you think of this new approach? Let us know: [email protected] or 01904 621133.

This event is tomorrow afternoon if you are free. Please join us, there is no need to book.

Amazing news about the first treatment for Huntington's Disease: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... This is brilliant news for everyone affected by the condition. Congratulations to everyone involved in developing the new gene therapy.

Following a Freedom of Information Request, York Press is reporting waiting times of up to a year for NHS mental health services in York: www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/2548891... Let us know your experience: [email protected] or 01904 621133.

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals needs help to review the questions used in its “Mealtimes Matter” survey. Join them on 10 October at 10am at Priory Street Centre to ensure what matters most to patients is included. Email [email protected] or call 01904 621133 to book a place.

Liverpool John Moores University is looking for autistic children and young people, aged 11-18 to participate in a survey. The survey takes about 15 minutes. You can share views by writing, recording a voice note or drawing and labelling a picture. Take part at: ljmu.questionpro.eu/ImprovingAcc...

The Breathing Space – a new support group from @stleonardshospice.bsky.social – is here to support adults with life-limiting lung conditions, along with their families and carers. Sessions run monthly, alternating between in-person and online. Find out more: yorkcvs.org.uk/introducing-...

Have you used the patient transport service to get to medical appointments? We want to hear about your experiences, especially if you now can't access the service because the criteria for who is eligible has changed. Please complete our short, anonymous, survey: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/X6GOMW/

From the York Press - Rachael Maskell MP calls for public inquiry into TEWV. www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/2547538... Share your experiences and ideas via our surveys here: Survey for people: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/W1DALF/ Survey for organisations: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/0WKCSY/

👉 Booking is now open for your Flu and Covid-19 vaccines if you're eligible. Go online or book via the NHS App for appointments beginning in early October.  buff.ly/qidCbiZ

Roy Lilley gets it. "A publicly funded service needs visible mechanisms for the public to be heard. Without that, trust declines and the sense of the NHS being ‘ours' diminishes." Read here: bit.ly/RoyLilley16Sep & sign the petition to save independent voice: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...

An invitation to people in York - join us for a meeting with @rachaelmaskell.bsky.social to talk about the future of mental health services. Thursday 2 October at Priory Street Centre, 1.30-3.30pm.

Thanks to @sianberry.bsky.social for tabling this EDM edm.parliament.uk/early-day-mo.... Hope other MPs will support this much-needed debate on why, for many, independent voice in health and care is vital. #localhealthwatch #independentvoice @rachaelmaskell.bsky.social @lukecharters.bsky.social