Good care, bad care, confusing care – your story matters

Ever felt rushed at an appointment or more confused than when you went in? Or maybe someone really listened and made you feel supported. Whatever happened, your experience matters—and we want to hear about it.

We’re Healthwatch North Yorkshire—your local health and social care champions. We’re here to listen, understand, and make sure your feedback reaches the people who make decisions about the services we all use.

If you use the local doctors (GP practices), hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, are a young carer, or use any other health and care services across the county, we give you the platform to speak up and shape better services for everyone.

Why your voice matters

Teenagers often see things differently—and that’s a good thing. Sharing our stories helps older generations and decision-makers understand what life is really like for young people today.

Whether your experience was frustrating or fantastic, speaking up helps services learn and improve. Every time you fill in a survey or share your story, you’re helping someone else get better care in the future.

Health is a community issue—and you are part of that community.

What can you talk to us about?

Anything to do with health or social care, like:

• Long waits or cancelled appointments
• Mental health support through the NHS
• Treatment that felt unfair
• Struggles accessing services because of your age or background
• Any barriers you feel you face as a young person, such as a lack of reasonable adjustments or requiring information about your care in a format you can access and understand
• Any experience that left you confused or stressed
• Care that went well for you or someone you care for

What happens when you speak up?

We don’t give medical advice—but we do listen carefully, and we use your feedback to push for change. Your voice is passed on (anonymously if you want) to the people who design and run local health and social care services.

Although we don't deal with individual cases or complaints, we have the powers to ask the people who fund, organise or provide care what they are doing—or going to do— about it.

When enough people speak up, services listen. Things change. And that starts with you.