👂 Listening to Halton: What You Told Us (Q1 2024)

Every month, we go out into the community to hear what local people think about health and care services in Halton. From April to June 2024, here’s what we did—and what you told us.

🧍‍♀️ Reaching Local People

  • 37 community sessions held across Halton
  • 537 people spoken to face-to-face
  • 237 shared feedback on health and care services
  • 64 people supported with information and advice

Most of the feedback this quarter focused on hospital and GP services. The average hospital care score was 3.9 out of 5, while GP services received the lowest average rating of 2.63.

💬 What You Told Us

Access to Services

  • It was difficult getting GP appointments
  • Ongoing problems accessing NHS dental care

Pharmacies and Medication

  • Medication shortages and repeat prescription delays

Other Themes

  • Concerns around patient transport
  • Confusion accessing the Community Diagnostic Centre
  • Unclear routes to social care support

“There needs to be clearer information when trying to book a GP appointment – I keep getting told to try again tomorrow.”
— Feedback from Widnes Market

🧭 Helping People Navigate Services

We supported people with information on how to:

  • Register with a GP or dentist
  • Access mental health support
  • Stay connected digitally with free data SIMs

🧾 One example: A resident recently released from prison received help accessing GP and dental services, mental health support, and a free data SIM via the National Databank.

📢 Making a Difference

🏥 Maternity Information at Whiston

We raised issues about unclear maternity referral information at Whiston Hospital. After ongoing discussions, the Trust updated its materials, and we improved our own website advice to make it easier for parents-to-be to get the right support.

🏠 Hospital Discharge

Our joint report with Healthwatch Warrington called for patients and carers to be more involved in the discharge process.
📄 Read the full Hospital Discharge report →

🌐 Online & n the Media

  • 8,459 visitors to our website
  • 16,253 pages viewed
  • 53 new or updated articles, including:

Advice & Info

Public Engagement

📚 Reports Published

💡 Want to share your experience or need support?


We’re here to help.
📞 Call: 0300 777 6543

📣 Share your story 

or ask a question: enquiries@healthwatchhalton.co.uk