Community Pharmacy Struggles
Years of underinvestment has left many local pharmacies on the brink.
Community Pharmacy England’s 2025 Pressures Survey shows that pharmacies continue to face a range of critical challenges.
Photo by Christine Sandu on Unsplash
Petition: Review the decision to abolish independent local Healthwatch
If you share our concerns about the lack of independent voice in health and care following plans to abolish the Healthwatch network, please sign this petition!
131 Local Healthwatch Services Unite to Fight for Independent Public Voice
131 local Healthwatch services across England have signed an open letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, urging the government to reconsider proposals that would bring public voice functions under the control of local authorities and NHS bodies.
The letter, which to date has been signed by 131 Healthwatch Chief Officers/Chairs - representing 86% of the national network - warns that the proposed changes would seriously compromise the independence that makes public feedback effective and trusted.
Read our full press release here.
Time to strengthen, not silence, people’s voices in health and care
The Government has announced that as part of the NHS 10-year plan they intend to close the Healthwatch Network, the National Guardian’s Office and the Health Services Safety Investigations Body.
What will replace these groups isn’t clear. What has been suggested is that local Healthwatch roles can be absorbed into local authorities and Integrated Care Boards. The role of Healthwatch England will be integrated into the role of National Director of Patient Experience at the Department of Health and Social Care. It has also been announced people will be encouraged to share their feedback on hospital services via the NHS App.
This is our response to the news.
Overwhelming response to regional cancer awareness survey
More than 6,000 people from Humber and North Yorkshire have shared their attitudes, awareness and understanding of cancer in the
People with ADHD find diagnosis life-changing but long waits on the NHS need urgent action
New poll of 2,579 adults highlights ADHD diagnosis can change people’s lives, giving them a better understanding of themselves, improving