1. Registering with your GP: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    People have told us they can have problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register.

  2. Where can I go to get help for my health out of hours?

    Advice and Information -

    Health issues unfortunately don't leave us alone at the weekend and people are often in need of medical assistance out of hours. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.

  3. Do you need help getting to hospital?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you travel to your hospital appointments.

  4. What should you expect when it comes to care for your teeth?

    Advice and Information -

    Four questions staff should ask you or a loved one about your oral health if you’re a care home resident, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence quick guide.

  5. Thinking about end of life care for you and your family

    Advice and Information -

    End of life care is support for people who are in the last months or years of their life. The guidance on the NHS website helps you know what to expect, how to plan ahead and how to manage your day to day decisions.

  6. Accessibility checklist for GP surgeries

    Advice and Information -

    Help make sure that your practice meets people’s accessibility requirements using this checklist from Healthwatch Slough.

  7. Where can I go for support for my mental health as a parent?

    Advice and Information -

    We've pulled together a number of services for parents in need of support for their mental health. Read more to find out where you can go to get the help you need.

  8. Seven pieces of information that you should expect to receive after being diagnosed with dementia

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's (NICE) quick guide to discussing and planning support following a dementia diagnosis.

  9. Do you need help travelling to NHS services?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.

  10. Someone I love has died - where can I find support

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving.

  11. Should I see a pharmacist instead of a doctor?

    Advice and Information -

    ​​​​​​​Avoid the wait at the GP and know when to visit your pharmacist instead. Look at how your pharmacist can help you.

  12. What's the difference between social distancing, self-isolation and shielding?

    Advice and Information -

    Self-isolation, social distancing and shielding have been introduced by the Government to help you and your loved ones stay safe from COVID-19. Find out what they mean in practice and what applies to you.

  13. What is domestic abuse and how can I get support?

    Advice and Information -

    If you are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who might be, find out where you can go for advice and help.

  14. Getting the most out of the virtual health and care experience

    Advice and Information -

    National Voices, Traverse, PPL and Healthwatch England put together some tips on how to get the most out of the virtual health and care appointments both for patients and health and care professionals.

  15. How to communicate better with people with hearing loss

    Advice and Information -

    COVID-19 poses a unique challenge for health and social care professionals when talking to someone with hearing loss. Here are some important tips to help you communicate effectively.

  16. Healthwatch Doncaster Annual Report 2013/14

    Report -

    Healthwatch Doncaster was established in April 2013, as one of 152 local Healthwatch organisations. This is the first Annual Report.

  17. PRESS RELEASE: Local Healthwatch make it even easier for people to volunteer

    News -

    Healthwatch Doncaster is looking to recruit volunteers from across the Doncaster area. We want to give the people of Doncaster, in particularly those who are seldom heard, a chance to have their say about health and social care provision locally.

  18. PRESS RELEASE: Doncaster group publishes innovative appointment card for people with learning disabilities

    News -

    A local peer support group is celebrating the completion of a unique appointment card to help people with learning disabilities attend their health and care appointments, with the aid of a grant from Healthwatch Doncaster.

  19. Doncaster primary care services remain open for business

    Advice and Information -

    A news release from NHS Doncaster CCG to reassure local people that despite the enormous pressures and demands on NHS services during the Coronavirus outbreak, local practices and pharmacies remain open to care for patients in Doncaster.

  20. What is a care navigator?

    Advice and Information -

    Have you ever wondered why reception staff at your local practice in Doncaster ask you why you need to see your GP or nurse? Have you called your local practice and been asked what your medical complaint or issue is? Let NHS Doncaster CCG explain..

  21. Care Home visits – Healthwatch Doncaster’s report

    News -

    Engagement officer Sandie Hodson, alongside an enthusiastic team of Healthwatch volunteers, undertook nineteen care home visits between July – December 2016.

  22. PRESS RELEASE: Report on urgent care shows overall patient satisfaction

    News -

    A new report by Healthwatch Doncaster on urgent and emergency care has shown people in the Borough are positive about the service received, including during the Covid-19 pandemic.

  23. PRESS RELEASE: Healthwatch running between the wickets alongside Doncaster Cricket Club on the Great Get Together weekend

    News -

    As national celebrations take place on the Great Get Together weekend starting on 16th June 2017, Healthwatch Doncaster will bat alongside the local cricket club to engage with communities to capture feedback and experiences of health and social care

  24. PRESS RELEASE: Doncaster GPs asked to keep things simple when seeking patient feedback

    News -

    People confident GPs take their comments and concerns seriously. Yet 3 out of 4 (76%) have never given feedback, most commonly because they don’t know how to.

  25. PRESS RELEASE: Access to GP services survey launched in light of worrying statistics showing long waits for an appointment

    News -

    Access to GP services survey launched in light of worrying statistics showing long waits for an appointment

  26. PRESS RELEASE: Project launched to gather views on care and support at home

    News -

    Volunteers of Healthwatch Doncaster have helped to launch a project around care and support at home and have published an online survey this week to receive feedback from local people.

  27. PRESS RELEASE: Board member at Healthwatch Doncaster urges local people to have their say on the long term plan

    News -

    Healthcare in Doncaster will only work if people get to have their say – urges Healthwatch Doncaster Board member Sucha Singh.

  28. PRESS RELEASE: Voluntary groups encouraged to work together as part of annual grant scheme

    News -

    Community groups in Doncaster can team up to apply for a maximum amount of £1,000 during Healthwatch Doncaster’s annual micro-grant scheme that launched this week.

  29. PRESS RELEASE: Engaging with people to gather their experiences of cancer services

    News -

    Cancer services have been impacted by Covid-19 and that’s why Healthwatch Doncaster have launched a new project to hear from local people to share their experiences to help inform local service delivery.

  30. PRESS RELEASE: Local people in the region have their voice heard after publication of the NHS Long Term Plan report

    News -

    Over a thousand people in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw have provided their views on the NHS Long Term Plan to improve health services.

  31. PRESS RELEASE: Local doctors urge people to keep it, cancel it or rearrange it as missed appointments report is published

    News -

    Healthcare professionals are reminding patients to keep, cancel or rearrange their hospital appointments if they cannot attend, as a report into why over 50,000 scheduled dates are missed annually is published.

  32. Enter and View: Adeline House Care Home

    Report -

    Healthwatch Doncaster's Enter and View team conducted an initial visit in August 2018, with a follow-up visit in March 2019

  33. Enter and View: Plantation View Care Home

    Report -

    The Authorised Representatives felt that the home generally had good atmosphere; interactions between staff and residents were positive; the environment was clean and tidy; some small improvements could ensure a more dementia friendly environment

  34. Micro-Grant Report: Alcohol and Drug Service (2017)

    Report -

    The fourth annual Recovery Games on 18 August saw over 650 people from all parts of the UK coming together at Hatfield Activity Centre in Doncaster in a fun packed day of celebration of people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.

  35. Report to NHS Doncaster CCG Experience and Engagement Committee - January 2018

    Report -

    Healthwatch Doncaster update to the NHS Doncaster CCG's Engagement and Experience Committee (EEC)

  36. Why people miss their hospital appointments in Doncaster and Bassetlaw?

    Report -

    In October '17 Healthwatch Doncaster, working in partnership with the local Hospital NHS Trust and NHS Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group commenced a three month engagement project to look at why people miss their hospital appointments

  37. Event: The Great Get Together 2017

    Report -

    Healthwatch Doncaster designed and delivered an engagement campaign aimed at older people, adults, children and families who attend Doncaster Town Cricket Club. The campaign was co-designed and delivered with Doncaster Town Cricket Club.

  38. PRESS RELEASE: Patient feedback encouraging about emergency care services in Doncaster

    News -

    Experiences of local emergency and out-of-hours services in the Borough are rated mostly positive by patients, in a new report published by Healthwatch Doncaster.

  39. PRESS RELEASE: Elle Rochelle Smith, wins ‘YMCA’s Apprentice of the Year Award’

    News -

    YMCA Business Administration Apprentice, 19-year-old Elle Rochelle Smith from Doncaster, has been recognised for her outstanding achievement at Healthwatch Doncaster – an independent organisation, which shapes health and social care services

  40. PRESS RELEASE: Healthwatch awards ceremony to celebrate recipients of its micro-grants scheme

    News -

    Successful applicants of Healthwatch Doncaster’s micro-grants scheme will be celebrated at a ceremony event this Thursday at the Doncaster College for the Deaf.

  41. PRESS RELEASE: Change made at a rapid pace to improve patient experience and care

    News -

    The North East Commissioning Support Unit, Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in partnership with Healthwatch Doncaster and a range of local health and care organisations led a review of spinal care, fibromyalgia and ophthalmology.

  42. PRESS RELEASE: Healthwatch Doncaster joins forces with RDASH to set up a wheelchair forum

    News -

    Wheelchair users in Doncaster are being encouraged to join a forum jointly created by Healthwatch Doncaster and Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDASH) to gather feedback on their experiences to advance services

  43. PRESS RELEASE: Relative Poverty exhibition set for launch at Cast Doncaster

    News -

    A local photo exhibition highlighting the daily lives of three families in Doncaster is set to tour the town’s Community libraries after Healthwatch Doncaster joined its crowdfunding drive earlier this year and provided match-funding for the project

  44. PRESS RELEASE: Doncaster people share their stories about emotional health in a new report

    News -

    People across the Borough value support from family and friends with their emotional health, alongside others with shared experiences, detailed in a report published by Healthwatch Doncaster

  45. PRESS RELEASE: New survey launched to hear people’s views on GP care during the pandemic

    News -

    Patients in Doncaster who have accessed healthcare support from their local GP during Covid-19 are being encouraged to have their say in a new survey by Healthwatch Doncaster

  46. PRESS RELEASE: Local resident wins Facebook giveaway to commemorate NHS 70 birthday celebrations

    News -

    To honour the occasion of the 70th birthday of the NHS last month, Jenson Faye will be savouring a bundle of treats to celebrate after being the named the winner of Healthwatch Doncaster’s Facebook competition

  47. PRESS RELEASE – Funding of £500 available for local groups to facilitate health and social care conversations

    News -

    Conversations around health and social care can be discussed in a range of innovative ways, and that’s why Healthwatch Doncaster has launched its micro-grant scheme for local groups to apply for £500 to help engage, inform and influence

  48. PRESS RELEASE: Local people engaged in a survey to gather their views on access to GP services

    News -

    Comments that access to GP services is an issue for Doncaster patients has been a common theme from patient feedback to Healthwatch Doncaster.