1. Registering with your GP: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    People have told us they can have problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register.

  2. Accessibility checklist for GP surgeries

    Advice and Information -

    Help make sure that your practice meets people’s accessibility requirements using this checklist from Healthwatch Slough.

  3. Do you need help travelling to NHS services?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.

  4. What are your experience of accessing GP appointments?

    News -

    Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh are conducting a project around access to GP appointments within the Wigan Borough

  5. Leigh Family Practice Enter and View Report

    Report -

    Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh team of authorised representatives visited Leigh Family Practice to conduct an enter and view report. Within this report it sets outs; key findings, summary and results of the enter and view visit.

  6. Dr. Khatri & Partners Surgery Enter and View Report

    Report -

    Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh team of authorised representatives visited Dr. Khatri & Partners Surgery to conduct an enter and view report. Within this report it sets outs; key findings, summary and results of the enter and view visit.

  7. Why people use the Leigh Walk In Centre 2017

    Report -

    We spoke to over 21 people to understand why they're reasons behind visiting Leigh Walk In Center

  8. Ask My GP - Information & Guidance

    Advice and Information -

    In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of GP practices across Wigan Borough have started to use Ask My GP to help them deliver their services.

  9. New look for GP practices

    News -

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

  10. 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.

  11. Have you used Attend Anywhere?

    Blog -

    If you've used North West Borough's video consultation system, Attend Anywhere, you can share your experiences.

  12. Accessing care through your GP Practice - share your views

    News -

    Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh would like to hear about your experience of accessing care through your GP Practice.

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. Access to GP Services

    Report -

    This report captures the voices and experiences of people across the Wigan Borough who are accessing services at their General Practice (GP). We engaged with over 300 residents to hear how practices are continuing to interact with them.

  17. Advice and Information

    Advice and Information -

    Information and advice around health and social care

  18. Big Conversation

    Advice and Information -

    The Big Conversation is a five year project to shape the future of health and care As part of this, they are having an ongoing cycle of engagement working with people ,communities find out what is important to people with regards to their health.

  19. Annual Report 2022-23

    Report -

    Together we’re making health and social care better

  20. Where can I go to get help for my health out of hours?

    Advice and Information -

    People are often in need of out-of-hours medical assistance. Using NHS guidelines we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.

  21. What is flu and what is the flu vaccine?

    Advice and Information -

    As we enter flu season it's important you know what they symptoms of flu are and what the flu vaccine is.

  22. 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.

  23. Industrial action: senior NHS doctors and government reach agreement

    Response -

    Senior NHS doctors in England have voted to accept an offer from the government on pay and conditions, following months of strike action. Read our response.

  24. Annual Report 2023-2024

    Report -

    The Value of Listening

  25. Am I seeing a physician associate or a doctor?

    Advice and Information -

    The NHS plans to triple the number of physician associates it employs. But how much do patients know about this role, and how can their role be safely expanded?

  26. What help can you get to pay for your prescriptions?

    Advice and Information -

    The cost of living crisis has put many people under financial strain, and prescription costs are more than some can afford. Find out what help is out there to help you cover the cost of your medication.

  27. What is measles and who can get the vaccine?

    Advice and Information -

    Measles vaccination rates are at a ten-year low as cases rise nationwide. Find out about measles, who can get the vaccine, and what you can do to stay safe.

  28. How to make cervical screening (a smear test) work for you

    Advice and Information -

    Cervical screening, previously known as a smear test, saves over 4,000 lives every year in the UK. However, some women find it uncomfortable, so it's important to know what support is available and what adjustments you can request.

  29. How You Can Stay Healthy This Breast Cancer Awareness Month

    Advice and Information -

    Breast cancer caused 670,000 deaths globally in 2022, according to WHO. Read here and see how you can help bring that number down, even for yourself.

  30. Children and young people's ADHD Survey From NHS GM

    News -

    NHS GM have published a survey about children's ADHD, find it and some information below.

  31. Have your say to help fix the NHS

    Response -

    The Government has launched a public consultation for a new 10-year plan for the NHS. Find out why you should have your say.

  32. NHS Greater Manchester Offering Free Walk In Winter Vaccinations This Week!

    News -

    NHS GM are offering free winter COVID vaccinations this week - starting 4/11/2024 - find out where here!

  33. 10 top tips to get the most out of your GP appointment

    Advice and Information -

    We know from our conversations with the public that some patients report feeling rushed during appointments and struggling to make themselves heard. Here are some tips that could help you get the most out of visiting your GP.

  34. Quarterly Report: October - December 2019

    Report -

    Throughout the year we look at the issues that are important to you. We are currently in quarter three, this quarter focuses on information collected from October to December 2019

  35. 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.

  36. 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.

  37. 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.

  38. 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.

  39. Discharge from hospital project - Patients & carers

    News -

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

  40. 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.

  41. 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.

  42. 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.

  43. 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.