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

    Advice and Information -

    Health issues unfortunately don't leave us alone at the weekend and people are often in need of medical assistance out of hours. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.

  2. Do you need help getting to hospital?

    Advice and Information -

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

  3. Thinking about end of life care for you and your family

    Advice and Information -

    End of life care is support for people who are in the last months or years of their life. The guidance on the NHS website helps you know what to expect, how to plan ahead and how to manage your day to day decisions.

  4. 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.

  5. Snapshot Report: Cancer Information

    Report -

    We wanted to find out what mental health support is available to local people who have received a cancer diagnosis and also speak to professionals to see what would help them support their patients, carers and families in the community?

  6. Snapshot Report: Stroke Information

    Report -

    We wanted to find out what support would local people want when leaving hospital after having a Stroke? We worked in partnership with other organisation to hold an events to gather patients experiences and thoughts around this project.

  7. Enter and View Policy and Procedure

    Report -

    Policy & Procedure for the Appointment of Authorised Representatives at Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh

  8. What people think about District Nursing 2018

    Report -

    We spoken with up to 80 patients / carers about their experience with District Nursing Service within the Wigan Borough

  9. End of Life Care 2018

    Report -

    This report explores the views and experiences of the Wigan Borough residents relating to end of life care. It is intended to inform the Care of the Dying Strategy that is being developed by the Wigan Clinical Commissioning Group & local partners.

  10. Information on Coronavirus

    Advice and Information -

    Read the latest advice and information from NHS England and Public Health England about the Coronavirus.

  11. 'Our Voice Matters Too' Report on 'People’s Views and Experiences of Drugs and Alcohol Services in Wigan' 2017

    Report -

    The purpose of this report was to engage with drug and alcohol services users in the Wigan Borough and therefore understand their experiences and gather their views about the current drugs and alcohol service offer.

  12. Engagement in the Ambulatory Care Unit 2018

    Report -

    We visited Royal Albert Edward Infirmary to understand how patients using this unit feel about this type of care.

  13. 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

  14. Coronavirus – Information on local health and social care services within the Wigan Borough

    News -

    We have collated information about different health and social care services within the Wigan Borough and how they have been effected by Coronavirus.

  15. Coronavirus Factsheet - Maternity Services

    Advice and Information -

    Please see the following document which highlights the change in maternity care services during the Coronavirus outbreak.

  16. Free Training Course - Maximus Training

    Advice and Information -

    As part of the Adult Education Budget Maximus Training are offering fully funded courses to residents of Greater Manchester during the Coronavirus lock down period.

  17. Coronavirus Factsheet - Dental Services

    Report -

    Information about access to urgent dental treatment during the Coronavirus Outbreak

  18. Coronavirus Factsheet - Stroke Information

    Report -

    The following document contains information from 'Stroke Association North West' and 'Think Ahead Stroke' about support for stroke patients and their families during coronavirus outbreak.

  19. Coronavirus Factsheet - GPs Working Differently

    Report -

    Your GP Practice is working differently at the moment. Check your GP practice website for the most up to date info or follow them if they are on social media.

  20. Planning care at the end of life

    Advice and Information -

    We explain why it’s important to have a plan in place, should you or a loved one become critically ill with coronavirus.

  21. How creating a routine can support your mental health during lockdown

    Blog -

    Healthwatch England have published five different people's accounts on how COVID-19 has affected their lives, routine, and mental health. We've included links to where you can get advice and information too.

  22. What is domestic abuse and how can I get support?

    Advice and Information -

    If you are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who might be, find out where you can go for advice and help.

  23. Are you living with a disability or a long term condition during the Coronavirus Outbreak?

    News -

    In response to COVID-19, health and social care services have had to drastically change the support they offer the public. We have create a survey to gather peoples's experiences of this during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  24. What is the NHS COVID-19 contact tracing app?

    Blog -

    The NHS has started testing a coronavirus (COVID-19) contact-tracing app. Find out what we know so far and the issues the public might raise with local Healthwatch.

  25. COVID-19 Second Phase Response: What have NHS services been told?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what NHS services have been told about resuming routine care.

  26. Coronavirus - Debra’s Story

    Blog -

    What can we learn from those forced to self-isolate because of a long term health condition or disability? Debra Baxter, a volunteer at Healthwatch shares her experience of this during the Coronavirus pandemic.

  27. Changes to CQC’s approach to inspection and regulation

    Advice and Information -

    In response to COVID-19, CQC has changed its approach to ensuring the safety and quality of care. Find out what they are doing and how you can help support them.

  28. COVID-19 - When and how to use masks

    Advice and Information -

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently issued updated guidance for the use of masks for the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article we have summarised their key recommendations for wearing face masks.

  29. Coronavirus: changes to shielding

    Advice and Information -

    In July, Government advice for those shielding in England will change. We look at what these changes mean for you if you have been told to shield.

  30. Because We All Care

    News -

    Give feedback on health and social care services to support the NHS #BecauseWeAllCare

  31. 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.

  32. Have you left hospital during COVID-19? Tell us your experience

    News -

    To respond to coronavirus, hospitals in Wigan & Leigh had to quickly change. Tell us how this has affected the care you or your loved one has received.

  33. How to get an NHS dentist appointment during COVID-19

    Advice and Information -

    Routine dental care has had to change because of COVID-19, with social distancing rules making it difficult to access services. Here’s some information on how to access an NHS dentist during the pandemic.

  34. Tackle obesity and stay active during COVID-19 for Better Health

    Blog -

    The new Better Health campaign, unveiled by the government as part of their Obesity Strategy, is encouraging adults to adopt healthy lifestyle changes.

  35. Support for Parents and Carers of Children & Young People with Mental Health Issues

    Advice and Information -

    If you're a parent or a carer of a young person with a mental health problem, it can be difficult to know what to do. You may also need help and support, and there are resources out there providing advice and information.

  36. Guide for using NHS 111

    Advice and Information -

    NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do.

  37. 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.

  38. Type 2 Diabetes - Risk & Prevention

    Advice and Information -

    Find out more about Type 2 Diabetes,what the risks are, and how you can prevent it.

  39. Get your flu jab this winter

    Blog -

    This year it’s particularly important to get your Flu Jab. If you’re one of 100,000 people in an at-risk group, you are entitled to a free flu vaccination.

  40. Think you need to go to A&E? Call NHS 111 first

    News -

    The NHS is providing a new and more convenient way for you to access urgent care from the 1 December. Find out what this means for you and your loved ones.

  41. Think NHS 111 First

    News -

    A message from Dr. Tim Dalton, local GP and chair of the NHS Wigan Borough CCG, on the NHS First 111 service.

  42. Have you used NHS 111 in the last 3 months?

    Blog -

    If you’ve called 111 or visited 111.nhs.uk within the last 3 months we’d love to hear from you about what happened.

  43. Take part in Fit Latics!

    Blog -

    DW Stadium's Fit Latics programme is starting Monday 17th May - find out how it can help you lead a healthier lifestyle!

  44. 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.

  45. Prostate Cancer - Know the facts

    Advice and Information -

    Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK. Globally, more than 1.3 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year.

  46. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

    News -

    September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Cancer in children and young people is rare, and cure rates are much higher on average than adult cancer - which is why it's important to recognize the signs and symptoms early.

  47. Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Week

    Blog -

    September 13-19 marks Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Week, an annual event to raise awareness of the condition and the impact on sufferers and their families.

  48. Organ Donation Week 2021

    Blog -

    Organ Donation Week 2021 runs from 20 - 26th September, and is the BIGGEST ever Organ Donation Week!