News and reports

The patient transport service is provided by Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust and provides NHS-funded transport for people locally.

New national rules for non-emergency patient transport mean only people with specific medical, mobility, or care needs will qualify, leaving many others to find alternative ways to reach vital appointments.

Getting the right care when you need it shouldn’t feel like a struggle. But for many people across North Yorkshire and York, it still does.

Thank you to everyone who took part in our survey about getting extra support at health appointments. The survey has now closed and we are reviewing people’s experiences to highlight good practice and push for improvements where they are needed.

People across North Yorkshire continue to share their experiences of using health and care services. This report brings together what we heard, including what is working well, where people are struggling, and what needs to change.

Healthwatch visit care homes to hear directly from residents, their families, and staff about daily life in the home. We want to understand what is working well and where small improvements could make a positive difference.

Find out how to contact Healthwatch, whether for advice or to leave feedback about health or social care, using a British Sign Language interpreter.

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 living in rural North Yorkshire continue to tell us that distance, transport and digital access make healthcare harder to reach, and their experiences are essential in shaping services that work better for rural communities in 2026 and beyond.

You do not always need to see a GP. Another healthcare professional may be more appropriate for your needs.

Two years after people across North Yorkshire shared their experiences of continence care, hospitals, GP practices and community teams have begun to make important improvements. These changes follow what people told Healthwatch in 2023 and show how their voices continue to guide better support across the county.

We’re encouraging more people with learning disabilities and their carers to make use of free annual health checks. These are a simple but powerful way to improve long-term health and tackle inequalities.