1. Do you need help getting to hospital?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you travel to your hospital appointments.

  2. How to communicate better with people with hearing loss

    Advice and Information -

    COVID-19 poses a unique challenge for health and social care professionals when talking to someone with hearing loss. Here are some important tips to help you communicate effectively.

  3. Organ Donation Week

    Blog -

    This week (7th - 13th September) is the NHS's Organ Donation Week - find out more about organ donation and new changes to laws in England.

  4. Hidden disabilities: what do the sunflower lanyards mean?

    Advice and Information -

    You may have noticed someone wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, which is commonly displayed using a green lanyard patterned with sunflowers. This article will give you more information on the sunflowers and let you know who's entitled to one.

  5. Get involved with our project on digital exclusion

    News -

    If you’re a member of one of the groups at greater risk of digital exclusion, or know someone else who is, we want to hear your experiences.

  6. Have you used continence services in the Wigan Borough?

    News -

    Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh wants to hear about people’s experience of using continence services in the Wigan Borough and we want to hear from you.

  7. Avoiding falls - elderly fall prevention

    Advice and Information -

    Falling as we get older is quite common, and although most falls don't cause serious injury they can leave us feeling quite distressed. The good news is there are lots of things you can do to stay steady on your feet.

  8. How do I get a social care needs assessment?

    Advice and Information -

    If you need social care, whether that's home adaptations or a care home, a care needs assessment is the first step.

  9. Changing a trans person's name and gender marker on NHS systems

    Advice and Information -

    Patients may request to change gender on their patient record at any time and do not need to have undergone any form of gender reassignment treatment in order to do so.

  10. Difficulties accessing NHS Dental Services in Greater Manchester: a joint report

    Report -

    During the COVID pandemic people across Greater Manchester have told their local Healthwatch that they were experiencing difficulties accessing NHS dental services.

  11. Are you or your loved ones waiting for hospital care? Share you views

    News -

    Millions of people have had their treatment delayed by the pandemic – are you one of them? We want to know if you’re getting the advice, information and support you need while you wait.

  12. What to expect when waiting for care

    Advice and Information -

    Waiting for planned medical care or surgery can be a frustrating time. That’s why it’s so important that while you wait, you get regular, clear and accessible updates so that you can plan your next steps.

  13. Experiences of Using NHS 111 Snapshot Survey

    Report -

    An engagement outcome report on people's experiences of using NHS 111 from the Wigan Borough CCG.

  14. World Menopause Day - Bone Health

    Blog -

    Monday 18th October 2021 marks World Menopause, a day that raises awareness of the menopause, and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing. This year's theme is bone health.

  15. Movember - Men's Health Awareness Month!

    Blog -

    The three biggest issues facing men are mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. This Movember is a time to know the facts about men's health and create services that work for men.

  16. Healthwatch Quarter 3 report - October to December 2021

    Report -

    This edition of Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh's quarter 3 newsletter is now available to read and includes the following updates and features:

  17. Advice and Information

    Advice and Information -

    Information and advice around health and social care

  18. Annual Report 2022-23

    Report -

    Together we’re making health and social care better

  19. How to access Mental Health support if you have gender, sexuality or relationship diversity

    Advice and Information -

    Mental health problems are more common among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people. if you are struggling, feeling alone or need a little help, then check out our guide on how you can get the support.

  20. Autumn Report 2023

    Report -

    “Over the last quarter HWWL has ensured representation on an increasing
    number of committees and groups. The Chair and Chief Officer have a
    place on the ICS and ICB forums where we can ensure engagement
    and inclusion of public opinion is embedded into service design.

  21. International Woman's Month Celebration

    Advice and Information -

    Our friends at Ekhaya.UK are celebrating International Women's Month with an empowering day filled with inspiring talks, interactive workshops, and engaging activities.

    We love their tagline: "Invest in women. Accelerate progress"!

  22. Cost of living remains barrier to health for the most vulnerable

    Blog -

    The cost of living remains a barrier to health, particularly for people on low incomes, and those requiring dental care.

  23. The Accessible Information Standard - What you can expect from services

    Advice and Information -

    A year ago the Accessible Information Standard came into force. It requires any organisation providing NHS or social care to communicate in a way that everybody can understand. Here's a reminder of what you should expect.

  24. New COVID-19 restrictions affecting Wigan & Leigh

    News -

    An outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) has been identified in parts of Greater Manchester, East Lancashire, and West Yorkshire. The government and relevant local authorities are acting together to control the spread of the virus.

  25. Living with a long term condition during the coronavirus - Report

    Report -

    In response to COVID-19, we are aware that health and social care services have had to drastically change the support they offer the public.

  26. Our response to the coronavirus outbreak - Report

    Report -

    As the COVID-19 cases climbed, our number one priority was to protect our people: our staff and our volunteers. In line with guidance from Healthwatch England, this meant postponing all our planned public events and engagement activities.

  27. Coronavirus - Changes to shielding

    Advice and Information -

    From 1 August, the government will pause shielding unless the transmission of COVID-19 in the community starts to rise significantly.

  28. Discharge from hospital project - Patients & carers

    News -

    Have you or someone you care for recently been discharged from hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic?

  29. New look for GP practices

    News -

    Here's what your GP practice will now look like due to COVID-19 safety measures

  30. What you need to know when visiting a care home (new guidance for COVID-19)

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at what the guidance around visiting your loved ones in care homes means in practice.

  31. How the new NHS COVID-19 app offers better data privacy

    Blog -

    The NHS has just released a revamped COVID-19 contact-tracing app for testing. We look at how it addresses many of the concerns people have when it comes to their data privacy and security.

  32. Getting the most out of the virtual health and care experience

    Advice and Information -

    Want to know how to get the most out of virtual health and care appointments for both patients and health care professionals? We've put together some tips.

  33. Local lockdown restriction update & COVID-19 bulletin

    News -

    After Greater Manchester leaders urged the government to review the regional Covid-19 restrictions, on 20th August, Wigan Borough was removed from the local lockdown and residents will now need to follow national rules.

  34. Guidance for managing funerals during COVID-19

    Advice and Information -

    While funerals with physical attendance from mourners can still continue, it's important that those attending following the government rules and guidelines.

  35. Coronavirus Factsheet - Getting Tested

    Advice and Information -

    If you have symptoms of the coronavirus (COVID-19) or have been asked to get tested in Wigan & Leigh, here's what you need to do.

  36. Coronavirus Testing Project - Test & Trace

    News -

    Take part in our latest COVID-19 project and share your experiences of coronavirus testing, being asked to self isolate, and more.

  37. Care home experiences during COVID-19 project

    News -

    Have you or a loved one been living in a Wigan Borough care home during the COVID-19 pandemic? We'd like to hear your experiences.

  38. What's the difference between social distancing, self-isolation and shielding?

    Advice and Information -

    Self-isolation, social distancing and shielding have been introduced by the Government to help you and your loved ones stay safe from COVID-19. Find out what they mean in practice and what applies to you.

  39. New COVID alert levels: Greater Manchester moves to 'VERY HIGH'

    News -

    The government introduced a new set of local COVID alert levels last week, bringing localised restrictions - but what does 'Very High' mean for Wigan & Leigh?

  40. Public services: lessons from coronavirus

    Blog -

    We're delighted to share this amazing story about the experiences of one of our brilliant volunteers, Debra Baxter.

  41. New national COVID lockdown: information

    Advice and Information -

    From Thursday 5th November, there will be new COVID-19 restrictions affecting England. Find out more.

  42. COVID-19 Christmas Bubble

    Advice and Information -

    On 25th December, you can create a Christmas bubble with another two households, creating a bubble of three households overall.

  43. COVID-19 Vaccination Information

    Advice and Information -

    Find out more about getting the coronavirus vaccine in the Borough.

  44. Frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine

    News -

    Both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines are now available. Both vaccines have been shown to be safe and offer high levels of protection. Here are some answers to your frequently asked questions regarding the vaccine:

  45. The Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh team is working from home

    Blog -

    Following an official Government announcement on Monday 16th March 2020, the Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh team will be working remotely until further notice.

  46. COVID-19 Vaccination Programme Update

    News -

    From Saturday 6th March, patients aged 56 – 59 (in priority group 8) will receive a letter from NHS England inviting them to book an appointment at one of the local nationally run vaccine clinics.