Healthwatch Redbridge

Tell us your experience with local hospital care for older people | Healthwatch Redbridge Healthwatch Redbridge want to understand local people's experiences of care of the elderly wards and their journeys following hospital discharge.

Have you or a loved one stayed on a hospital ward for older people? We want to hear about it: www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/news/2025-09...

A photo of a man and woman in conversation holding leaflets.

We spoke to attendees about their experiences with hospital wards so that we can understand the care people in Redbridge are receiving, what's working and what could be different

A photo of two women sat at an information stall. Their heads are bowed as they write.

A photo of a woman sat at an information stall. A woman who is standing leans down to write on a pad of paper.

Last week we were joined by our amazing volunteers at Redbridge Central Library for a Positive Ageing Event

Healthwatch Redbridge Community Network Fair | Healthwatch Redbridge Our Community Network Fair is back!Comprised of local groups, charities, and organisations that want to support Redbridge residents to get the best healthcare and well-being for their communities, the...

The Healthwatch Redbridge Community Network Fair is back! Join us on Tuesday, 4th November, 2:30 - 5:00 pm at Redbridge Town Hall 🏙️➡️ www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/event/2025-1...

A photo poster featuring two smiling older caucasian men in glasses shaking hands over a fence in the countryside. Overlaid is the capitalised heading 'Let's quit smoking together' in bold stylised writing, with the highlighted sub-heading stating 'Make it to 28 days smoke free and you're 5 times more likely to quit for good' beneath it. The NHS logo is in the top right, while the Stoptober logo is in the top left.

Stoptober starts tomorrow! You've made your quit plan, accessed support from the NHS Better Health Quit Smoking toolkit, and got a whole smoke-free community on standby. You've got this ❤️‍

A bold graphic with text that reads 'to get in touch, call 020 4635 or email info@healthwatchredbridge.co.uk'

We moved! We left our offices on Cranbrook Road and have now joined Redbridge Institute of Adult Education in Gants Hill.

Our phone number has also changed, you can now call us on 020 4625 4616, or as always, email info@healthwatchredbridge.co.uk 💌

Chief midwife reassures over paracetamol safety during pregnancy Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for England, has stressed that paracetamol remains the first choice of painkiller during pregnancy.

Chief midwife reassures over paracetamol safety during pregnancy

Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for England, has stressed that paracetamol remains the first choice of painkiller during pregnancy, in the wake of US president Donald Trump's comments.

www.nursingtimes.net/midwifery-an...

An digital map of Redbridge. A line snakes from text that reads 'Healthwatch Redbridge has moved! Healthwatch Redbridge, Redbridge Institute of Adult Education, Gaysham Avenue, IG2 6TD' and ends at the Redbridge Institute on the map

We've moved! Find us at Redbridge Institute of Adult Education.

Our direct phone line is not available during the transition so email us with any queries (info@healthwatchredbridge.co.uk)

A photo of two nurses sat at a desk working in a medical setting. Their backs are to the camera. Text reads 'New NHS Trust Performance League Tables Published'

A new system of league tables is being rolled out across England in a move the government believes will strengthen transparency and accountability, but will the rankings help inform, or confuse patients?

Read more: www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/news/2025-09...

Today is the start of #KnowYourNumbersWeek, the largest blood pressure testing and awareness event in the UK.

Learn more about how you can get involved: www.bloodpressureuk.org/know-your-nu...

A green graphic with the UK Government and Parliament Petitions logo

If you share our concerns about the lack of independent voice in health and care following plans to abolish the Healthwatch network, please sign this petition! ➡ petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...

Subscribe to the Healthwatch Redbridge Newsletter

Subscribe and be part of the conversation:

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Get local health and social care news straight to your inbox:

💬 Have your say on the issues that matter to you
ℹ️ Keep up to date with changes to local services
🧠 Read our insights and find out how what you share with us helps to make services better for our borough

Most people with ADHD do not tell their employer – we must break the silence

Healthwatch England's Louise Ansari says workers who are silent about their ADHD are a worrying sign of people left to fend for themselves.

A person completing the Age UK Health and Care online survey form on a clipboard, set against a purple background.

We’re running our 2025 survey to hear from older people about their health and care experiences.

👥 You can also take part if you’re sharing a loved one’s story.
📝 Have your say: https://bit.ly/47PRddu

#AgeUK #OlderVoices #HealthAndCare

A screenshot of the Healthwatch Redbridge newsletter showing an article titled 'women in Redbridge want person-centred care'. Text above says 'read the latest Healthwatch Redbridge newsletter: your health and social care round-up'

Stay up to date with the latest from Healthwatch Redbridge!

🔗 tr.ee/74FMmb

A graphic from the eve appeal that reads 'nearly 3 in 4 people would be willing to take up genetic testing if they were eligible, but wide-spread misunderstanding was found around what cancers are hereditary'

This #GynaeCancerAwarenessMonth charity, The Eve Appeal, found that nearly 3 in 4 people would be willing to take up genetic testing if they were eligible, but there is wide-spread misunderstanding of what cancers may be hereditary. Find out more on their blog: bit.ly/4g62QiH

A photo of a woman speaking to a man as she takes his blood pressure. Text reads 'Your local independent health and social care champion. Call 020 8553 1236, email info@healthwatchredbridge.co.uk, website www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk'

What matters to you matters to us.

We are your local, independent health and social care champion. Tell us your experience with health and social care in Redbridge and help make services better for you, your family and your community.

💬 www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/share-your-v...

https://www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/news/2025-08-13/choice-gap-do-patients-get-choices-they-want-gp-care

What choices do patients want when they book GP appointments? And are they getting those choices?

Understand the "choice gap" in GP care ➡️ www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/news/2025-08...

Your local Healthwatch are still open and happy to help you. Whether you are unhappy with your care, want to leave feedback about your experience or struggling to find a local service - get in touch today and let them help. www.healthwatch.co.uk/your-local-h...

Enter and View: Beech Frailty Unit King George Hospital Follow-up | Healthwatch Redbridge Healthwatch Redbridge conducted an Enter and View at Beech Frailty Unit to follow up on recommendations made and to understand the impact this was having on patients.

These changes are a great example of how putting the patient experience first can ensure better care for local people. 👉 www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/report/2025-...

Signage had been improved, we heard how patients are receiving more consistent communication and
@bhrut-nhs.bsky.social has implemented a Pyjama Paralysis Audit. 🧵

We recently followed-up with Beech Frailty Unit at King George Hospital after our Enter and View last year and we were pleased to see a number of changes following our recommendations that will make stays on the ward more comfortable for patients. 🧵

Women's Health: Cervical Screening Report | Healthwatch Redbridge Our report unpacks local women's experiences of cervical screening and sets out key recommendations for services and community organisations to ensure more women access this life-saving care.

"From communication gaps and inaccessible facilities to cultural stigma and lack of trust, it is clear that we must take a more inclusive and informed approach. These are not just health issues - they are matters of equity and justice."

Read more ➡️ www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/report/2025-...

Speaking on the findings of the report, Chair of Healthwatch Redbridge, Gita Malhotra said: "The evidence shared in these pages reveals not only persistent inequalities but also systemic barriers that prevent many women from accessing timely, respectful, and culturally competent screening." 🧵

The report findings reveal barriers that will require system wide change, and co-operation from service providers and community organisations across Redbridge, at all levels.

Attending an intimate examination can be a daunting task and it is crucial that services are aware of and equipped to tackle barriers that arise by putting women's voices at the heart of decisions. 🧵

Our interviews with local women, revealed accessibility concerns, misconceptions and hesitations and obstacles caused by information provision. 🧵

Women's Health: Cervical Screening Report | Healthwatch Redbridge Our report unpacks local women's experiences of cervical screening and sets out key recommendations for services and community organisations to ensure more women access this life-saving care.

In the first report of our 3-phase Women's Health Project, we take a look at the barriers women in Redbridge face to accessing cervical screenings. 🧵

www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/report/2025-...

A photo of people in a white Gazebo they are gathered around a table speaking to each other. One table has information flyers laid out on it.

A photo of a group of people with their arms around each other smiling at the camera. Most of them are wearing lanyards. There is a festival stage in the background and a crowd of people.

A photo of an interactive activity where people have written about their experiences with services - there are smiley faces and a range of comments.

A photo of a festival stage with a crowd of people watching. The crowd are wearing matching t-shirts and the group on stage are dressed in a colourful display.

A great atmosphere of joy, excitement and love filled Christchurch Green a couple of weeks ago - we can't wait to see you at the next Disability Festival in the Park 🌳🎶