Healthwatch Derby

16/10/2026

Here's a practical tip that makes your evidence more powerful: be specific about dates, service names, and outcomes.

When you share a healthcare experience, don't just tell us something went wrong. Include the day it happened, which GP surgery or care home was involved, who was affected, and what happened next. This detail matters because it allows us to compare your story with similar reports from other areas of the UK.

One story becomes evidence when it matches a national pattern. Specific, dated accounts help us identify whether a problem is isolated or widespread. If it's widespread, we can refer it to the CQC or national policymakers with real credibility. Your consistency and clarity directly influence how far your voice travels and what change it can create.

What detail about your care experience would help us understand the full picture?



Read the full post on our blog → https://www.healthwatchderby.co.uk/how-local-voices-drive-healthwatchs-national-accountability-in-2026/

15/10/2026

Many people feel their individual complaints about the NHS or care homes simply vanish without trace. It's frustrating to believe that one person's bad experience doesn't matter when dealing with large national organisations.

Here's the reality: isolated complaints rarely spark change, but patterns do. When we collect repeated evidence from across Derby and beyond, we can escalate findings directly to regulators and policymakers. Social care accountability in the UK depends on someone being willing to listen and act on what the public tells them.

That's where we step in. We're independent from providers, councils, and the NHS - which means we can challenge poor practice while building solutions. Your detailed experience gives us the am******on to make that challenge stick. Tell us what happened, and we'll ensure it contributes to something bigger than a single appointment.

What's stopping you from sharing your experience with us right now?



Read the full post on our blog → https://www.healthwatchderby.co.uk/how-local-voices-drive-healthwatchs-national-accountability-in-2026/

15/10/2026

Patients living with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are facing barriers including high costs, poor communications, and delays at every stage of the care journey.

We unpack these and other issues that are preventing people with CVD from getting the support they need to live well, and what can be done to improve care for CVD patients.

Read our latest research insight to learn more. https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/blog/2026-10-12/what-are-people-telling-us-about-cardiovascular-disease-care

15/10/2026

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwm237z77dgyo

Although rare, cancer is the leading cause of death from disease among children under 15 in the UK.

15/10/2026

Derby City Council’s Adult Social Care (ASC) team are looking for more people who would like to work with them to identify where improvements are needed in Adult Social Care, and to help shape and implement those improvements wherever possible.
ASC runs a Coproduction Network made up of people with lived experience, informal carers, ASC staff, and care and support providers. They are keen to grow the Network further so it reflects the voices of everyone who uses ASC now, and those who may use it in the future.
You can take part as much or as little as you feel comfortable with, and if you’d like to talk through what being part of the Network involves, just get in touch using the contacts below and someone will call you for a chat.
The next opportunity to get involved is a joint planning session with people and ASC staff to explore how we can improve information about Adult Social Care and people’s experience as they move through their ASC journey.
Date: Tuesday 3 November
Time: 2.00 to 4.30 pm
Location: Council House
If you’d like to join this session, please email [email protected] or call or text 07443 442386.

15/10/2026

Healthwatch Derby released an app on Google Play and iStore a few months ago.
It is a great one stop for information regarding local health and social services in the Derby area plus for the latest Healthwatch news.
Download using the links on the poster below:-

14/10/2026

A missed GP callback in Derby rarely makes headlines, but when the same access problem happens repeatedly, it becomes national evidence.

That's how independent healthcare oversight works in practice. When we gather your experience alongside thousands of others across the UK's 150+ Healthwatch branches, we create a compelling picture that reaches decision-makers. In 2026, this collective approach remains central to how we drive real accountability in the NHS and care services.

Your individual story doesn't disappear into the system. Instead, it combines with similar experiences to shape CQC investigations, influence national health advocacy, and inform policy changes. The more detailed your account - dates, service names, what happened, and what fair care would look like - the stronger our evidence becomes.

Have you experienced a care issue that felt like it should have been flagged at a higher level?



Read the full post on our blog → https://www.healthwatchderby.co.uk/how-local-voices-drive-healthwatchs-national-accountability-in-2026/

12/10/2026

Derby City Council’s Adult Social Care (ASC) team are looking for more people who would like to work with them to identify where improvements are needed in Adult Social Care, and to help shape and implement those improvements wherever possible.

ASC runs a Coproduction Network made up of people with lived experience, informal carers, ASC staff, and care and support providers. They are keen to grow the Network further so it reflects the voices of everyone who uses ASC now, and those who may use it in the future.

You can take part as much or as little as you feel comfortable with, and if you’d like to talk through what being part of the Network involves, just get in touch using the contacts below and someone will call you for a chat.

The next opportunity to get involved is a joint planning session with people and ASC staff to explore how we can improve information about Adult Social Care and people’s experience as they move through their ASC journey.

Date: Tuesday 3 November
Time: 2.00 to 4.30 pm
Location: Council House

If you’d like to join this session, please email [email protected] or call or text 07443 442386.

12/10/2026

NHS screening programmes survey

Our survey is still live and has now been extended until October 31st to give everyone a chance to complete this to share their experiences.

Don't hesitate to complete before it's too late.

All information is given anonymously.  Please give as much detail as you can to answer the questions.  If you would like any advice, information or support filling out the survey please call us on 01332 643988 or email [email protected]

12/10/2026

Healthwatch Derby released an app on Google Play and iStore a few months ago.

It is a great one stop for information regarding local health and social services in the Derby area plus for the latest Healthwatch news.

Download using the links on the poster below:-