News and reports

Six local care and nursing homes on the Isle of Wight have been visited by the Healthwatch Isle of Wight Enter and View panel.

New accessibility report unveils crucial findings and recommendations for improved Health and Social Care communication

This year we have been working hard to hear from as many people as possible
by using inclusive methods of engagement, sharing information with local
people and finding new ways of listening to people’s stories.

Every year we ask people on the Isle of Wight to complete our prioritisation survey, the top three services/topics chosen by the public then become our priorities for the forthcoming year.
This way, we can ensure that we are focusing on the issues that really matter to local people.

The last year has been difficult for everyone, including the providers of health and social care services, as the process of recovery after COVID developed.

Every year we ask people on the Isle of Wight to complete our prioritisation survey, the top three services/topics chosen by the public then become our priorities for the forthcoming year.

Like many organisations, general practice needed to adapt quickly as our country went into lockdown and respond to new ways of working such as offering video and telephone consultations. Some people have told us that these new ways of accessing GP services have
worked well for them, allowing them to save time and get the help they need, quickly. But for others it’s been more difficult, time consuming and frustrating trying to access support when they need it.

How people feel about waiting to access hospital care: Findings from a patient survey.

It has been generally accepted that during the Covid-19 pandemic there has been a gradual increase in the prevalence of mental health conditions, primarily anxiety & depression. The Local Government Association described this as a ‘silent pandemic'.

Throughout this very difficult year we have continued listening to the
experiences of islanders on the full range of health and social care services.

In the period 1st April 2020 – 31st March 2021, Healthwatch Isle of Wight received 1415 pieces of feedback regarding Health and Social care, directly linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NHS dental services have been in the spotlight for a number of years throughout England and have recently received a lot of negative feedback. The main area of concern for people is a lack of access.