Key Projects
We rely on your feedback as local residents. If there's an issue that you think we should know about, get in touch.
You can email us at info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk
Our aim is to connect with individuals and communities to hear about lived experiences and gather feedback on health and social care services. This is what helps to shape our research projects so we couldn't do it without you.
We are currently working on a number of interesting projects which are listed below along with how you can get involved.
Caitlan Barrow, Volunteer and Projects officer
Digital Apps Report
The number of digital apps that you may need to access your NHS healthcare has increased, with many healthcare services implementing digital technologies to access and support your care. Our report highlights that local residents find that accessing digital apps can prove difficult and confusing.
During our investigation we explored what was on offer to patients in the local area, how they worked and whether they were easy to use. Our findings and recommendations will highlight what needs to be improved to reduce the issues and barriers that patients and carers are facing. Our findings and recommendations will be presented to our local Integrated Care Board (ICB), Primary Care Network (PCN), Health and Wellbeing Board, the City of London Corporation and shared on our website to enable us to work collaboratively towards change.
Our report is in its final stages and is due to be published in early 2025. All updates on the report will be posted on this page.
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALs) report
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is a service that is mandated within the National Health Service (NHS). Each trust is required to have PALS that provides the following services, help with health-related questions, help resolve concerns or problems when using the NHS, tell how to get more involved in one’s own healthcare and provide information on the NHS, the NHS complaints procedure and support groups outside the NHS.
In our report we have listed out our recommendations, which surround improving the current accessibility and communication that PALS provides, such as, improving the PALS web page to enhance its accessibility features and improving ways patients are able to get in touch with PALS.
Our PALs report is currently in its final stages and will be launching soon. All updates on the report will be posted on this page.
St Bartholomew’s Hospital Cardiology Enter and View
We recently conducted an Enter and View at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, undertaken as a result of feedback from patients about poor levels of communication in particular in the cardiology department.
In June, our team, with a group of volunteers, went to St Bartholomew’s Hospital and spoke to the managers and staff responsible for the communications and administration of cardiology appointments. We followed up the Enter and View by interviewing patients in the outpatient’s department, which was able to give us more insight and depth into the patient experience.
Our Barts Enter and View report is currently in its final stages and will be launching soon. All updates on the report will be posted on this page.