It's been a busy few months...
Healthwatch Lancashire have been busy during the summer months with projects, events, and most importantly - talking to you and gathering your experiences!
Scroll down for an update on our newest team member, PLACE assessments, reports and projects⭐
Hospital Discharge Project
We have just launched our Hospital Discharge project at Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley & South Ribble Hospital
This project aims to understand the discharge process from a patient's perspective and highlight any changes to information, transportation or overall experience that could be made to improve the discharge journey.
We also hope to hear from any staff who have been involved in the discharge process at both hospitals, using their invaluable insight to track patterns and highlight good practice.
Meet John, our newest team member!
We would like to introduce everyone to John Moore, who you may have seen on our socials. John was previously a dedicated volunteer, but has taken the leap and joined us as a sessional worker!
This means you may start to see John out and about at more events or leading on Enter and View visits!
To help you get to know John, we asked him some questions about his hobbies and why he is excited to work for Healthwatch Lancashire👇
What are you most looking forward to in your new role as a Sessional Worker for Healthwatch?
Helping the rest of the team to make a difference
Describe yourself in three words...
Old open-minded geek
In your free time, what activities do you like doing?
Cycling, walking the fells, weights, theatre, live rock music, reading, buying too many books, new places and learning languages!
PLACE Assessments
Healthwatch Lancashire are pleased to once again be supporting hospital trusts across Lancashire by taking part in Patient‑Led Assessments of the Care Environment.
These assessments involve reviewing the non-clinical environment in NHS hospitals with a particular focus on cleanliness, maintenance, food, hydration, privacy and dignity and support for people with dementia or disabilities.
Our team and volunteers will be supporting at;
- Royal Preston Hospital
- Chorley and South Ribble Hospital
- Burnley General Hospital
- Pendle Community Hospital
Calling on Andy Burnham to protect patient voice
Our host charity, which works across the north of England to advocate for under-represented people and communities, is calling on new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to make retention of Healthwatch a priority.
Local Healthwatch are the voice of patients, people who use social care, and under-represented communities. Healthwatch takes the feedback they gather to service providers, such as NHS integrated care boards and local authorities, so that the patient and care-user voice positively influences future services.
Catch up on our most recent reports👇
Last year was super busy at Healthwatch Lancashire, and we've finally concluded all of our research project work after the publication of Disability, Transport and Accessibility.
This report presents our findings. We were interested specifically in the challenges disabled people face organising transport, physically attending services, and accessing those services upon arrival.
Ageing Well Without Family
Our Ageing Well Report presents older people’s experiences and priorities for ageing well in Lancashire and highlights challenges around health, wellbeing, independence and inclusion.
Read it here
2025-2026 Annual Report
Our Annual Report highlights our community engagement & how public feedback shapes improvements in health and social care to deliver accessible, person-centred support in Lancashire.
Read it here
Thanks for reading, see you next month🎉