Unlocking the power of people-driven care
Healthwatch and you have made things better.
Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, over 1,700 people shared their experiences of care with us locally. Throughout our report, you can read just some of the stories that help us understand the struggles people face when it comes to their care, and how things can be better.
Over the past year, we’ve heard from more than 1,000 people across North Yorkshire—mothers navigating postnatal care, farmers struggling to access health services, young people sharing their mental health concerns, and people living in rural North Yorkshire facing long travel times to appointments.
Their experiences have helped shape real improvements: from better continence care in hospitals and care homes, to new support clinics for breastfeeding and pelvic health, clearer communication from equipment providers, and strengthened postnatal training for GPs. We've also helped amplify the voices of those too often overlooked—ethnic minority communities, refugees, unpaid carers, autistic people, and teenagers facing vaping harms.
Together, we’ve shown that when services listen—and act—care improves for everyone.
“We’re not just collecting feedback. We make sure it leads to change. Whether it’s in a remote village or a busy town centre, your voice helps shape a fairer, kinder, and more effective care system.”
The NHS is facing challenges – and change. The Government have pledged to repair a system the Health Secretary described as “broken” and announced additional investment, as well as a new ten-year health plan published in July 2025.
But just as important are the conversations with the public about their views and ideas on what that plan should contain. We have long held the view that if the system is broken, the people it serves are key to solving it, as we’ll show in our annual report.
Healthwatch was established to champion the public voice. Since then, the stories people have shared with us have made real, positive change, and this year has been no different. Read about what we’ve achieved by sharing the public’s views, and the work we’re doing to pave a path forward that puts patients front and centre.
Our year in numbers
- 1,092 people shared their experiences
- 20+ media features amplified local stories to over 270,000 people
- 31 volunteers helped deliver our work across the county
- 23,000+ website users accessed health information and support
- 12 reports published to highlight key community concerns
- 8 joint reports developed with other regional Healthwatch across the Humber and West Yorkshire
Highlights from 2024–2025
Postnatal care that listens
Your stories led to protected training time for GPs, better postnatal education, and new community support groups for mums. Real improvements, shaped by real experiences.
Tackling rural healthcare inequalities
At our first Rural Health & Care Summit, we brought together local leaders and residents to share barriers and solutions. Now, a new Rural Health Taskforce is being formed—ensuring rural voices shape rural services.
Improving mental health support
From GP-based mental health practitioners to trauma-informed training for over 1,000 staff, your feedback helped make care more personal and accessible and people are getting seen quicker.
Accessible information, for everyone
We called for clear, inclusive communication across NHS hospitals. The result? More easy-read letters, translation services, and trained staff who understand your needs.
Supporting farmers’ health
Farming communities told us about the long distances, stigma, and time pressures stopping them from seeking help. We took those voices to Parliament. Mobile health checks and new health and wellbeing services are being trialled at Selby and Hawes auction marts. This is making it easier for farmers to access checks and support without long journeys.
Helping patients understand GP services
We created a clear, easy-to-use patient guide to GP practices to help people book appointments, understand their options, and feel more confident navigating care. Co-produced with patients and professionals, the guide has been shared widely across the county—reducing confusion and helping people get the right care, sooner.
What’s happening now - and what next?
We're building on this year’s progress to focus on what matters most to local people. Based on feedback from the public and health and social care services about what we should focus on, here’s where we’ll be directing our efforts next:
Improve healthcare access for people in rural areas
We’ll continue working with community organisations, charities, volunteers, the NHS and North Yorkshire Council, to ensure rural services are accessible and inclusive—building on our farming and rural healthcare event work to make care work better for remote communities.
What matters most to your health?
We’ll ask people across North Yorkshire to share what truly matters to their health and wellbeing—helping shape future priorities and ensure services reflect local needs. You can take part in the conversation on our website and at a number of library and hospital stalls that we'll be at.
Expanding digital reach
We’ll grow our online presence—especially through Instagram and Facebook—to better reach younger people, rural residents, and those less likely to attend in-person events.
Exploring alcohol and women’s health
We’ll explore alcohol use—especially among midlife women—by gathering lived experiences and identifying barriers to support, to help inform local strategies and reduce harm.
Reviewing accessibility in GP and dental care
We’ll assess whether GP practices and dentists are making the right reasonable adjustments for people with physical or living with mental health conditions. We will focus on access, communication, and procedures.
Discover how your voice is shaping care in North Yorkshire
Our latest impact report, Unlocking the Power of People-Driven Care, shows the real difference your feedback has made over the past year — from improving services to influencing decision-makers.
Read the report today and see how together, we’re making health and care work better for everyone.
Continue to be a part of the change
Whilst Healthwatch is here, our feedback has power. It is always welcome.
Whether it’s a concern about care or a thank you for when things go well, sharing your experience helps us shine a light on what’s working and what could be better. You can speak to us confidentially and anonymously (we won't use your name), and it won’t affect your care in any way.
We’re not here to criticise. We’re here to listen, learn, and help improve. We regularly highlight the brilliant work of health and care staff, unpaid carers, and volunteers across North Yorkshire, and we know how much people value their dedication.
We also help people find clear information and advice, so they can understand their options and make the best choices for themselves or their loved ones.
By sharing your story, you're helping to make health and care better for everyone in our community.
See how your voice makes a difference
Phone: 01423 788 128
Email: hello@hwny.co.uk
