Healthwatch Portsmouth informed the Board meeting in public in December of the outcome of the Urgent and Emergency Care Standards pilot that we contributed community based research to (along with 5 other local Healthwatch) in late 2019. This was in follow-up to an NHS England ‘Clinically-led Review of NHS Access Standards for urgent and emergency care’ that took place earlier in 2019. NHS England considered the patient feedback we gathered then produced draft proposals that would be nationally applied to Hospital Trusts providing Accident and Emergency Care. NHS England launched on 16th December a national consultation on the proposed standards which now closes at the end of [...]

Update on COVID-19 Vaccination programme in Portsmouth ~: Feb 21 COVID-19 Vaccination programme update Feb 21   The Covid vaccination programme is now well underway and the NHS is delighted that people have already been able to receive the jab. On Monday January 18, it was announced that people aged 70 and over and those who are listed as clinically extremely vulnerable will now also start receiving invitations to have the vaccination. Despite the phenomenal effort to stand up clinics so quickly and begin vaccinating people, the NHS is aware of frustrations people are feeling as they are unsure of when they might be invited for their [...]

Leaders across the NHS in Hampshire and Isle of Wight have called on the public to support the NHS by staying safe and using the right service. Seventeen leaders representing 11 organisations in the area have jointly signed an open letter to residents. The letter calls on the public to do the right thing, by following the Hands – Space – Face advice and by encouraging family and friends to the same. In the letter, local NHS leaders say: “With the development of vaccines we now know we can beat this virus, but we cannot let our guard down. These next few weeks will be the most [...]

After speaking with Healthwatch Portsmouth, Stephen Morgan MP stood up for Portsmouth people struggling to access NHS dentistry or get the care they need in a debate in Parliament on the impact the Covid-19 pandemic is having on dental services Speaking in a debate in order for the relevant Government Minister to respond and take action, the Portsmouth South MP underlined he is ‘particularly concerned about the recently imposed NHS activity targets’ and the impact this is having on local dental services. The latest intervention in the House of Commons follows Mr Morgan’s long-running efforts on concerns from constituents and came after hosting a summit earlier this [...]

Coronavirus cases are rising rapidly across the country. Find out what you can and cannot do. Following on from the announcement from the Government last night (4/1/21) we have provided a Summary of what you can and cannot do during the national lockdown. You must stay at home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives. You should follow this guidance immediately. The law will be updated to reflect these new rules. Who this guidance is for This guidance is for people who are fit and well. There is additional advice for people who [...]