Over 300,000 people reached: The power of Healthwatch's media Impact

Healthwatch North Yorkshire has worked hard to ensure people’s voices are heard not just by decision-makers—but by the wider public. By shining a light on key issues like postnatal care, rural health inequalities, youth vaping, and access to dentistry, we’ve helped spark vital conversations across newspapers, radio, and TV.

This round-up highlights the stories that reached audiences across the region and beyond between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025. More than 20 pieces of coverage helped elevate real experiences and influence local priorities—reaching over 300,000 people. Behind every headline was someone who shared their story.

Together, we’re making health and care better for everyone in North Yorkshire.

Each year, we produce an impact report to show how we’ve listened to public feedback and made a difference as your local Healthwatch. This media round-up is part of that commitment—demonstrating how your stories are helping to shape health and care in North Yorkshire.

Maternal and postnatal care: the postcode lottery revealed

Healthwatch North Yorkshire shone a spotlight on the unequal access to postnatal care across the county, prompting widespread media discussion about the support available for new mothers.

• New Yorkshire mums hit by "postcode lottery" of support after giving birth  – Yorkshire Post (Circulation: Average readership of 10,634 a day)
  This piece highlighted stark disparities in postnatal care, reinforcing our calls for equitable maternity services.
• Women in North Yorkshire call for more support after giving birth – Greatest Hits Radio (60,000 average listeners a week)
  Healthwatch's local data helped frame public discussion and spur listener engagement.
• Concerns raised over level of support for new mothers in Scarborough and Coastal areas – The Scarborough News (3,234 average readers a week)
  This strengthened our advocacy for rural maternal services.
• Concerns raised over support for new mums in Ryedale – Gazette & Herald (3,234 estimated readers a week)
  Our evidence-backed commentary ensures local voices are heard.

These stories elevated the voices of women and families, reinforcing our call for fairer, more consistent postnatal services across North Yorkshire.

Rural healthcare: Spotlight on access and farming communities

From GP access to A&E delays, our work gave voice to the challenges rural and farming communities face when trying to get the care they need.

• Rurality and the struggle to access healthcare – Rural Services Network
• Healthwatch response to A&E waiting times at York and Scarborough hospitals – Greatest Hits Radio (Weekly reach: 60,000 listeners, which is 16% of the local adult population).
• Farmers asked what stops them getting help when unwell – Gazette & Herald
• Concern that North Yorkshire farmers aren’t accessing healthcare  – Greatest Hits Radio
• Making GP visits easier for rural communities – Rural Services Network

The coverage helped position rural health inequality as a policy priority and encouraged deeper engagement with those often left behind.

Children’s services: Community closures in the spotlight

Our response to the closure of North Yorkshire’s children’s centres brought urgent attention to the impact of cuts on families and local communities.

• “All eighteen children's centres in North Yorkshire to close, council announces – Yorkshire Post (Average daily circulation: 10,634, monthly website visitors average two million)

Coverage like this helps ensure decisions affecting families are met with public scrutiny and that the long-term impacts are fully considered.

Youth vaping: Rising awareness and policy support

As concerns about youth vaping surged, Healthwatch contributed evidence and community insights that helped shape both media narratives and public policy discussions.

• Disposable vape ban welcomed in North Yorkshire amid ‘alarming’ growth in – The Scarborough News
• Yorkshire health leaders welcome smoking and vaping tax changes  – This is the Coast local radio.
• Disposable vape ban welcomed in North Yorkshire – York Press (average daily print circulation of 5,179)
• Alarming rise in vaping amongst children – That’s TV (North Yorkshire)

Thanks to this coverage, the risks of youth vaping are now firmly on the radar of local leaders, with our insights supporting stronger regulation and prevention.

Urgent & emergency care: Spotlight on A&E Delays

Media coverage helped us highlight the impact of long A&E waiting times in York and Scarborough—drawing attention to the real consequences of under-pressure emergency services.

• Healthwatch response to A&E waiting times at York and Scarborough hospitals – Greatest Hits Radio – York & North Yorkshire

Coverage like this gave weight to the public’s experiences and encouraged greater scrutiny around how emergency care is delivered locally.

Dental care: Unmasking patient confusion

Our research into dental access and patient rights sparked national interest, revealing widespread confusion and frustration across North Yorkshire.

• NHS dentistry on the Yorkshire coast – That’s TV (North Yorkshire) (1,300 viewers daily across That's TV network channels)
• Patients confused over dental care rights says survey  – Dental Nursing Journal (While exact readership numbers aren't disclosed, the journal is tailored to the UK's dental nursing community, which includes approximately 58,898 registered dental nurses)
• Patients confused over dental care rights says survey  – The Dentist (This magazine has an average circulation of 29,233 copies per issue).

These articles not only broadened public awareness, but also pushed the dental access crisis up the national agenda—where it belongs.

How media reach was calculated

Print & online readership

This includes the estimated audience size of newspapers and magazines that published Healthwatch content:

• Yorkshire Post (2 articles): 10,634 × 2 = 21,268
• The Scarborough News (2 articles): 3,234 × 2 = 6,468
• Gazette & Herald (2 articles): Approx. 3,234 × 2 = 6,468
• York Press (1 included article): 5,179
• The Dentist: 29,233
• Dental Nursing Journal: 58,898
• Total estimated print & online audience = 132,693 Radio Reach – 180,000 listeners

From Greatest Hits Radio – York & North Yorkshire, which featured 3 pieces of coverage:

• 60,000 weekly listeners × 3 pieces = 180,000 total audience impressions

 TV viewers

Two separate features on That’s TV North Yorkshire:

• Estimated 1,300 viewers per day × 2 pieces = 2,600 total estimated reach

Why your story matters

Healthwatch’s visibility across regional and national media platforms has brought critical health and care issues into the spotlight—ensuring decision-makers, professionals, and the public are listening. Through every headline and interview, we’re making local voices impossible to ignore.

We know that real stories can drive real change. If you’ve had a positive or negative experience with health or care services, consider becoming a Healthwatch case study. Your insight could highlight what’s working well—or help shine a light where improvements are needed. 

Get in touch:

Call us on 01423 788 128

Email hello@hwny.co.uk

Write to us at Freepost HEALTHWATCHNORTHYORKSHIRE (no stamp required)

Get in touch with us to share your story and be part of the change.