Healthwatch Oxfordshire

15/10/2026

Ahead of World Menopause Day on Sunday, we're sharing this menopause information sheet we produced following a project in 2024 focusing on women's health.

Please get in touch if you've got feedback to share or a question to ask about local health services: https://healthwatchoxfordshire.co.uk/health-information-sheets

14/10/2026

Our Executive Director, Dr Veronica Barry, was delighted to speak at the Midlands Parks Forum Annual Conference yesterday about the importance of engaging communities to drive change.

Leading a workshop, Bringing Community Voices into Green Space Action, Veronica drew on Healthwatch Oxfordshire's experience of supporting community research across the county. She shared practical insights on working alongside residents to better understand local needs, amplify community voices and shape meaningful improvements.

Veronica said: "The evidence for the health benefits of green space is clear. Working with community researchers is a powerful way for those in green space planning to hear from those who may not be heard, and to understand barriers and solutions to inequity of access and experience."

Thank you to Midlands Parks Forum for the invite!

Read more about this at https://healthwatchoxfordshire.co.uk/latest-news/2026/10/bringing-community-voices-into-green-space-action

13/10/2026

Two weeks today! Don't forget to join us on Tuesday 27th October from 1pm-2pm for our webinar exploring what makes a good Patient Participation Group.

The webinar will feature practical advice, real-life examples and shared learning from people who are helping PPGs make a positive impact across Oxfordshire.

Speakers will include Elaine Cohen, Chair the Observatory Medical Practice PPG, who will share her tips for tips for building and sustaining a successful PPG, and Shelagh Garvey, Chair of the South Oxfordshire Patient Alliance (SOPA), who will discuss how PPGs can influence the wider health and care system.

Greta Thornbory, Chair of Church Street PPG, and Practice Manager Julie Bridle, will share their experience of building a successful partnership between a GP practice and its PPG, and the benefits this can bring.

Finally, Gill Cooksley, Practice Champion at White Horse Medical Practice, will talk about the support and training they provide to help patients use the NHS App, highlighting an example of a project that PPGs can help initiate and deliver.

All are very welcome to attend via Zoom - full details: https://healthwatchoxfordshire.co.uk/our-webinars

13/10/2026

Today we start the next round of our training for budding community researchers! Good luck to all taking part - hope you have a great day!

If you're interested in community research take a look at our website for lots of useful resources to help you get started, including our fantastic how to community research toolkit : https://healthwatchoxfordshire.co.uk/community-research

12/10/2026

Have you recently seen your GP, visited a dentist, attended a hospital appointment or used another health or care service in Oxfordshire? Tell us about your experience - good or bad - by leaving a short review on our Feedback Centre.

It's anonymous, only takes a few minutes and your feedback helps services understand what's working well for patients and where improvements are needed. Leave your feedback today at: https://healthwatchoxfordshire.co.uk/feedback-on-a-local-service

12/10/2026

09/10/2026

Are you a member of a PPG, thinking of joining one or interested in how patients can help shape local healthcare services?

If so we'd love you to come along to our next public webinar, "What makes a successful Patient Participation Group?" on Tuesday 27th October from 1pm-2pm.

The webinar will feature practical advice, real-life examples and shared learning from people who are helping PPGs make a positive impact across Oxfordshire.

Speakers will include Elaine Cohen, Chair the Observatory Medical Practice PPG, who will share her tips for tips for building and sustaining a successful PPG, and Shelagh Garvey, Chair of the South Oxfordshire Patient Alliance (SOPA), who will discuss how PPGs can influence the wider health and care system.

Greta Thornbory, Chair of Church Street PPG, and Practice Manager Julie Bridle, will share their experience of building a successful partnership between a GP practice and its PPG, and the benefits this can bring.

Finally, Gill Cooksley, Practice Champion at White Horse Medical Practice, will talk about the support and training they provide to help patients use the NHS App, highlighting an example of a project that PPGs can help initiate and deliver.

All are very welcome to attend - full details and the link to join: https://healthwatchoxfordshire.co.uk/latest-news/2026/09/join-our-october-webinar-to-learn-what-makes-a-successful-patient-participation-group

08/10/2026

Out now! The Healthwatch Oxfordshire news brief contains all of our latest health and social care news sent straight to your inbox.

Read the latest issue or sign up on our website : https://healthwatchoxfordshire.co.uk/our-newsletter

08/10/2026

Today until 1pm, Amier and Tracey are visiting Bicester Community Hospital to chat to people about their care.

If you miss us, and want to tell us about your experiences of local health and care services you can contact us via phone, email or via the Healthwatch Oxfordshire website.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust

07/10/2026

Check out the Healthwatch Oxfordshire news pages to read about all our latest news, events, and other helpful health and care news. You can also sign up to our fortnightly news briefing if you would like to receive regular updates by email.

Find them on our website: https://healthwatchoxfordshire.co.uk/latest-news