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Clear, understandable information is important to help you make the right health and care decisions. Join our campaign and have your say on what needs to change. -
Advice and Information -
Although most people using the health service are happy with their care and treatment, things can sometimes go wrong. -
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Getting to healthcare appointments can be impossible for some people – especially those who cannot travel or afford it. Find out what Healthwatch have recommended decision-makers do to improve the situation. -
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You have the right to make a complaint about any aspect of NHS care, treatment or service, and this is written into the NHS Constitution on GOV.UK.
From 1 July 2023 the way members of the public make a complaint about primary care services to the commissioner is changing. -
Advice and Information -
Engaging Communities Solutions (CIC) is contracted by Halton Borough Council to deliver Healthwatch Halton. Individuals and organisations have the right to express their views about the performance of Healthwatch Halton and the way in which it conducts its business. -
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In July 2020 Healthwatch Halton were approached by NHS Bridgewater Community NHS Trust to look at the possibility of carrying out a further patient engagement project on behalf of the Trust to look at patient satisfaction levels with Children’s Specialist Services from Woodview Child Development Centre.
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During 2017 we received an increasing number of comments and concerns from parents of children accessing the services provided from Woodview Children’s Centre. -
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Staff at the University of Bradford want to hear your (and your children’s) views on short-sightedness and the new ways we can manage it.
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Citizens Advice Halton has launched a new survey for parents and carers to assess the impact of rising costs of school uniforms and whether schools across the Borough are implementing changes to the law requiring genuinely affordable uniforms. -
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It has been eight years since the Children and Families Act 2014 introduced significant changes to the delivery of education, health and social care services to children and young people (aged 0–25) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
A joint Care Quality Commission/Ofsted inspection of Halton’s SEND provision in March 2017, whilst highlighting examples of good practice and improvement, identified areas for development, setting out specific areas for improvement.
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Children’s Grief Awareness Week runs from the 17th - 23rd November 2022. Children’s Grief Awareness Week was initiated by Grief Encounter and the Childhood Bereavement Network in 2015, as a way to recognise and raise awareness of the bereavement experiences of children and young people.
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Recent reports of serious Group A Strep infections (GAS) can be worrying. Whilst the more serious Invasive GAS infections are still uncommon, there has been an increase in cases this year, particularly in children under 10 and sadly, a small number of deaths. -
Advice and Information -
Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses that anyone can develop, regardless of age, income and ethnicity. Take a look at some of the common signs of eating disorders and where to go for support if you need help. -
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Can you help develop a new relationships service, for babies, children and their families? NHS North West Coast Clinical Networks for Perinatal and Early Years Mental Health are interested in developing NHS services that can support parent-child relationships.
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Bridgewater are looking for families to join their new lived experience panel to help make local health services better for children and young people.
A lived experience panel is when people who use health services or who help look after someone with a healthcare issue come together with staff to decide how we can improve services.
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Drowning Prevention Week aims to help ensure everybody across the UK and Ireland, has the opportunity to enjoy water safely.
Now in its tenth year, Drowning Prevention Week 2023 is a crucial campaign that has proven to have a real impact. Due to the pandemic, close to 2 million young people missed out on the vital opportunity to swim, leaving a dramatic gap in school swimming and water safety education. -
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Halton Send Parent Carer Forum (HSPCF) have been approached by Tony Ryan who has been commissioned by Mersey Care to carry out an independent review of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS.)
He is interested in the views of children and young people and their families, who have used CAMHS services in mid-Mersey in the last 12 months. If this applies to you, please give a couple minutes of your time to answer the short questions on the attached survey. Your voice matters and is the best way to help improve services for our children and young people.
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Evidence from thousands of children and young people collected by our colleagues at Healthwatch Blackpool has been referenced repeatedly in the House of Commons over the past few weeks as concerns grow about vaping among this age group.
The report highlights the worrying prevalence and impact of vaping amongst children and young people, highlighting the views and experiences of children and young people themselves, as well as their families, and professionals who work with them. -
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Communication is an essential foundation life skill that supports many other areas of development such as: behaviour, emotional wellbeing and lifelong learning. As parents and carers you play a vital role in supporting your child's speech, language and communication skills. -
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Family Hubs are being developed in Halton. This work is being funded by the Department for Education from the government’s Family Hubs Transformation Fund.
Family Hubs support children and young people from birth until they reach the age of 19 (or up to 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities). They bring council, health and community services together so that families can access the right support at the right time. -
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With most children now back at school the UK Health Security Agency North West reminds parents of back-to-school advice amid rising levels of winter illness.
To keep attendance in education and childcare settings high this January, parents are urged to take simple steps to protect communities following the Christmas break. -
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The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported an increase in measles across the country and is encouraging people to check that they and their children have had two doses of the MMR vaccine. -
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With measles cases on the rise, thousands of school children aged 6 -11 years are being invited to attend appointments to be vaccinated against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR).
A major drive has been launched to invite those not fully vaccinated to come forward and catch up on missed doses - with reminders being sent to families throughout February and March.
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Halton Borough Council, Halton SEND Parent Carer Forum and NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board are seeking the views of children, young people and their families on their experience of Halton SEND services across Education, Health and Social Care. -
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Family hubs support children and young people from birth until they reach the age of 19 (or up to 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities). They bring council, health and community services together so that families can access the right support at the right time.
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Halton SEND Parent Carer Forum and Healthwatch Halton worked together and completed a project to assess the eligibility for 14+ annual health checks in Halton and the impact for those with SEND who do not meet the criteria.
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Advice and Information -
There is a worrying rise in whooping cough, officials warn, external, with 553 cases in England recorded in January alone and high numbers in Wales. The best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated. -
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Vision problems often go undiagnosed. But many children won’t tell you something is wrong because they don’t know they have a problem. They don’t have anything to compare it to, they think everybody sees like they do. -
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Childhood Cancer Awareness Month aims to generate awareness and support for children suffering from cancer.
It happens every September across the world. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month started in 1990, and 2024 marks its 34th anniversary. -
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Families can now get a certificate in memory of their baby if their pregnancy ended before 24 weeks (or 28 weeks if your pregnancy ended before 1 October 1992).
This official recognition follows a campaign from charities, organisations, and members of the baby loss community. Having an official physical recognition that your baby existed and lived can be so important to so many bereaved parents and families. -
Advice and Information -
Illnesses like coughs, sore throats and ear ache are extremely common in young children, but did you know… our children’s ‘super bodies’ are designed to fight off many common illnesses, without the need for antibiotics?
