Meet Healthwatch: Tell us about your care, find advice and seek support

Healthwatch want to hear directly from you about your experiences of health and social care services - both the good and the bad.

• Tell us about the great care you’ve received so we can celebrate and thank staff and services.
• Share the difficulties you’ve faced when trying to access support, so we can press for improvements.

Healthwatch is independent. We have the legal powers under the Health and Social Care Act to ask services to respond to what you tell us - and to explain what’s being done to make things better.

And if you feel lost or don’t know where to turn, our team can help you find clear information and the right support. We also help you know your options so you can make the best decisions about health and social care for you and your loved ones.

What you tell us matters

We know being asked for feedback can sometimes feel repetitive. But every story, whether positive or negative, makes a difference. Your experiences help us see what’s working well, where people are being let down, and what needs to change.

Because Healthwatch is independent, it can make sure your voice is heard at the highest levels. The more you tell us, the stronger our case when we ask services to respond and act.

By speaking up, you can:

• Celebrate and thank staff who gave you good care
• Highlight what's working well so other GP practices, dentists, and hospitals can learn from it
• Highlight struggles people face when trying to get help, including any practical barriers and suggestions to make these better
• Hold services to account, so Healthwatch can ask what the local NHS is doing about it - or will do
• Show the people in charge of your care what’s happening in North Yorkshire communities

Together, we can turn feedback into action and shape a healthier future for everyone.