Never heard of Healthwatch? Here’s how we can help

You might find us because something hasn't gone well with your health or care and you don't know who to speak to. You might be looking for reliable information or support. Or you might simply have had an experience – good or bad – that you think somebody should hear about.

That's where we come in.

Healthwatch North Yorkshire is your independent health and social care champion. We listen to people's experiences, help people find information and support, and make sure what we're hearing is shared with those responsible for planning and providing care across North Yorkshire.

You don't need to understand how the NHS or social care system works before getting in touch.

Why does being independent matter?

We're separate from the NHS and North Yorkshire Council.

That means you can talk to us about your experience without us being part of the organisation providing or planning your care.

We can bring people's experiences together, raise concerns, highlight good care, publish what we find and make recommendations for improvement. We also follow up with organisations to ask what's changed.

What happens when you tell us something?

We look at what people are telling us across North Yorkshire and identify common themes, concerns and examples of good practice.

Sometimes an individual experience adds to something we're already looking into. Sometimes it alerts us to an issue we weren't aware of. And sometimes it shows us something that's working particularly well.

We use what we hear in our conversations with the NHS, councils and other organisations, as well as in our research, reports and recommendations.

We protect people's confidentiality when sharing feedback, and you don't have to give us your name if you'd prefer not to.

Sharing your experience with Healthwatch won't affect your care.

Does speaking up make a difference?

What people tell us helps us show what's working well, where things need to improve and what could be done differently.

People's experiences have contributed to change across health and social care in North Yorkshire – from making health appointments and information more accessible to improving patient transport and care home experiences.

Our work has also helped bring attention to issues including postnatal care and bladder and bowel health, while listening to farming communities has helped shape work to make information and support easier to access.

These are just some examples. One person's experience might add to what we're already hearing from others and help us build the evidence needed to push for change.

We go to where people are

We don't just wait for people to find our website.

Our staff and volunteers speak to people across North Yorkshire at community groups, events and other places where people live, work and spend their time.

We also visit health and social care settings, carry out surveys and research, and make a particular effort to hear from people and communities whose experiences can too easily be missed.

Sometimes hundreds of people tell us about an issue. Sometimes it starts with one conversation.

Both matter.

It doesn't have to be a bad experience

We want to hear what's working well too.

If someone went out of their way to help you, you felt listened to, or a service did something particularly well, tell us.

Positive experiences help show what people value about their care and what others could learn from.

What happens when I share my experience?

We look at what people tell us across North Yorkshire and identify common themes, concerns and examples of good practice.

We can use what we hear in our conversations with the NHS, councils and other organisations, as well as in our research, reports and recommendations.

We protect people's confidentiality when sharing feedback, and you don't have to give us your name if you'd prefer not to.

Sharing your experience with Healthwatch won't affect your care.