News and reports

A thank you to everyone who spoke up in 2025, highlighting the changes your experiences helped make across health and care in North Yorkshire.

Many people looking after a friend, neighbour, or family member do not see themselves as unpaid carers, yet they carry a huge responsibility. This is why local organisations have created a new logo to recognise and support those who support others.

Across 2026, Healthwatch North Yorkshire staff and volunteers will be in local libraries and hospitals, listening to your experiences of NHS healthcare, social care and helping you find clear information and support.

Men’s health has been in the spotlight following the publication of a new 10 year plan to improve men’s health in England. This article looks at what the plan says and what it could mean for men living and working in North Yorkshire.

NHS social prescribing link workers can connect you to the right community groups and services to help support you.

When it's hard to find an NHS dentist, many people turn to urgent dental care to treat routine problems.

Breast screening helps detect breast cancer at an early stage when it is easier to treat. It is free through the NHS and takes only a few minutes. Most people who are screened have healthy results. Early detection can save lives.

Learn how Healthwatch helped put farmers’ health firmly on the agenda, driving new walk in clinics, on site health checks at auction marts, council and NHS action plans and even parliamentary questions that are making rural health and care more accessible and responsive to farmers’ real needs.

Farmers told Healthwatch that long hours, isolation and inflexible services make it hard to look after their health. Thanks to your feedback, new ways to access care are being tried across North Yorkshire.

We want to help people know where to get support over the festive period, so we have brought together key information from the local NHS. Read our article to find out the pharmacy opening hours and help available.

Bladder and bowel healthcare affects some 14 million people across the country. You told us things were not always working as they should, and so together we asked for more to happen. Here’s what is changing to make support more visible, accessible and respectful.

People across North Yorkshire have told us what truly helps them stay healthy day to day and the challenges that can make this harder. Their insight reveals a much wider picture of health than medical care alone.