News and reports
Latest news and views
Share for Better Care week is here!
This Share for Better Care Week, take three minutes to share your experience of health and social care.
Blog
Report on NHS maternity care reveals discrimination and an overstretched workforce
Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham welcomes the recent publication of the Baroness Amos Interim (“half-way”) Report for the National Maternity and Neonatal (newborn baby) Investigation. The report has uncovered racism, bullying, staffing and capacity…
News
NHS Listens to Healthwatch Call for Chaperones
NHS England has published new national principles to guide how health services provide chaperones for patients.
News
Movember 2025: More than just growing a moustache!
Movember, also known as Men’s mental health month, is an annual worldwide campaign with a single yet profound goal, to raise awareness about men’s mental health issues. Read on to find out more about what Movember is, and what Movember 2025 is focussing…
Blog
New Survey Launched to Look at Social Care Access in Barking and Dagenham
Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham has launched a new survey to hear about how people are accessing social care, whether they know where to go, and how the public feel about accessing social care if they had a need. The survey is open to everyone, even if…
News
GOV.UK Launches New ‘Best Start in Life’ Campaign for Parents and Carers
Earlier this month, GOV.UK announced their newly-named Best Start in Life brand and website. The new initiative brings together all services, offers and support available across the country to help guide and support parents from pregnancy, through to…
News
Have your say on getting a GP appointment in Barking and Dagenham
Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham is inviting residents to share their experiences of accessing GP appointments as part of a new project exploring…
News
This World Mental Health Day, let’s talk, listen and support better mental health
World Mental Health Day takes place every year on 10 October. It is a chance to think about the importance of good mental health and the support…
Blog
10 years of the NHS Accessible Information Standard: is health information accessible to everyone?
The NHS England Accessible Information Standard (AIS) was introduced on 1 August 2016 to help ensure that people with disabilities, sensory loss or…
News
Latest reports and publication
New Healthwatch report highlights experiences at Women's Outpatients Department at Queen's Hospital
Healthwatch Barking & Dagenham has published a new Enter and View report following an unannounced visit to the Women's Outpatients Department at Queen's Hospital. The visit explored the experiences of women accessing both gynaecology and antenatal services, focusing on referrals, appointments, communication and the quality of care. During the visit, Healthwatch spoke to 28 women about their experiences.
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Healthwatch visit highlights positive patient experiences at King George Hospital Gynaecology Department
Healthwatch Barking & Dagenham has published a new Enter and View report following an unannounced visit to the Gynaecology Department at King George's Hospital. The visit, conducted in December 2025, provided Healthwatch representatives with the opportunity to speak with women using the service, observe the environment, and gather feedback on their experiences with referrals, appointments, and the care they received.
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