Healthwatch Surrey

28/10/2026

We are delighted to announce that plans to abolish local Healthwatch and Healthwatch England as part of the Health Bill have been abandoned. This is a huge victory for an independent voice for patients and the public in general.

It follows a vast amount of work undertaken both locally and nationally to highlight the importance of retaining an independent voice for local people and the work that local Healthwatch do. Throughout the debate on the Health Bill in Parliament, MPs and peers from all sides have raised serious concern that scrapping it would mean the loss of important accountability within the NHS.

This rethink means Healthwatch Surrey, and all 150 local Healthwatch and Healthwatch England will continue to champion the voice of local people to shape, improve and get the best from NHS, health and social care services.

We are also pleased the proposal is to strengthen our remit to ensure patient voices are heard and can influence real change across health and care services. This gives us the opportunity to build on the best of what Healthwatch has achieved locally and nationally, and to spread best practice to all parts of the country.

We look forward to continuing our work to ensure everyone has the opportunity to be heard.

[Image description: In the centre of the image are the words: Breaking news...Healthwatch to stay - Independent voice protected. At the top corners of the image is a megaphone in Healthwatch green and pink.]

27/10/2026

We are pleased to bring you our latest public newsletter - keeping you informed of our latest projects, new surveys and updates on previous work.

Please read to find out more and to take part in our surveys:
https://www.healthwatchsurrey.co.uk/news/2026-10-23/stay-date-our-latest-surrey-speaks-newsletter-autumn-2026

To subscribe and receive this straight to your inbox, email our Helpdesk on [email protected].

The more people we hear from the more we’ll be able to amplify your voices.
Want to share your experience? As well as completing our online surveys, you can share your experience via our online form - https://www.healthwatchsurrey.co.uk/share-your-views, or by getting in touch with our Helpdesk who also provide information and signposting about health and social care services:
Phone: 0303 303 0023
SMS (text only): 07592 787 533
WhatsApp: 07592 787 533
Email: [email protected]

[Image description: Image showing the pages of our newsletter - to the left is part of a tree trunk and branches with autumnal coloured leaves which are also falling behind the pages. At the top are the words: Surrey Speaks - Autumn edition. Sign up to receive it straight to your inbox.]

22/10/2026

“There was no understanding of how traumatic and scary appointments could be for my autistic son, he was told he was wrong when he said the intravenous antibiotic was hurting, he has sensory differences and experiences some things as pain that others may not, there was no patience to take time to make him feel safe.”

Read our latest Insight bulletin, covering what we are hearing in hospitals, our current projects and the latest about the Health Bill.

https://www.healthwatchsurrey.co.uk/report/2026-10-16/insight-bulletin-heard-hospitals-october-2026

If you are a Surrey resident and have any experiences to share about health and social care, you can use our online form:
https://www.healthwatchsurrey.co.uk/share-your-views
Or by getting in touch with our Helpdesk who also provide information and signposting about health and social care services:
Phone: 0303 303 0023
SMS (text only): 07592 787 533
WhatsApp: 07592 787 533
Email: [email protected]

[Image description: In the centre is the quote mentioned in the post. At the bottom of the image are the words 'Read our latest Insight bulletin - October 2026. In the top left is a graphic of a report and speech marks.]

19/10/2026

We continue to be welcomed at care homes in Surrey, where we are asking about people's experiences of teeth and mouth care.

If you or your friend or relative live in a care home, or you work in one - then we would like to hear from you too.

Please share your experience via our survey (or details below if you prefer to contact us direct).

If you live in a care home, or are a friend or family member: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/OralHealthCareHomesResidentFamilyHwsy2026-27/
if you work in a care home: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/OralHealthCareHomesStaffHwsy2026-27/

Please note: Responses to these surveys are anonymous. The closing date for the survey is 15 November 2026.

Need a paper copy or prefer to share your experience in your own words? You can get in touch with our Helpdesk, who also provide information and signposting about health and social care services:
Phone: 0303 303 0023
SMS (text only): 07592 787 533
WhatsApp: 07592 787 533
Email: [email protected].

[Image description: Photo of a refreshments area in a care home. In the corner of a room, is a cabinet with 2 drink dispensers on top, one containing orange and the other blackcurrant squash. Underneath on shelves are 2 bowls of fruit. To the right is a standard water dispenser with a flowering plant on top. Above the cabinet is a pictorial sign of refreshments. Above it all is a painting of different white and yellow flowers.]

13/10/2026

Have you been to a Surrey hospital recently?
What was your experience?

Whether you went for an appointment or a longer stay, we would love to hear about your recent hospital experience.

Please complete our survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/HwSyHospitalFeedback2026/

If you need a paper copy, or would prefer to share your experience in your own words you can contact our Helpdesk who also provide information and signposting about health and social care services:
Phone: 0303 303 0023
SMS (text only): 07592 787 533
WhatsApp: 07592 787 533
Email: [email protected].



[Image description: In the centre of the image is a photo of a hosptial sign, pointing to the Hospital Entrance and to the Emergency Department. Above the sign are the words: Have you recently been to hospital. Below the sign it says: Whether you went for an appointment or a longer stay, we would love to hear your about recent hospital experience.]

03/10/2026

We are visitng care homes in Surrey to ask about people's experiences of teeth and mouth care in care homes - If you or your friend or relative live in a care home, or you work in one - then we would like to hear from you too.

Please share your experience via our survey (or details below if you prefer to contact us direct).

Live in a care home, or are a friend or family member: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/OralHealthCareHomesResidentFamilyHwsy2026-27/
Work in a care home: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/OralHealthCareHomesStaffHwsy2026-27/

Please note: Responses to these surveys are anonymous. The closing date for the survey is 15 November 2026.

Need a paper copy or prefer to share your experience in your own words? You can get in touch with our Helpdesk, who also provide information and signposting about health and social care services:
Phone: 0303 303 0023
SMS (text only): 07592 787 533
WhatsApp: 07592 787 533
Email: [email protected].

[Image description: Photo of a snack area in a care home. An old fashioned sweet cart is in one corner. It is decorated in autumn colours with crisps, fruit, buscuits and pastries on it. In the opposite corner is an old tailoring dummy with a tape measure around its shoulders and 2 arm chairs.]

24/09/2026

Last few days to have your say - survey finishes 30 September:

Are you an unpaid carer? (Do you look after a friend or family member who couldn’t manage without your help?)
What’s your experience of GP practices (relating to your caring role)?
Do you feel supported?
What could be better?

We would like to hear your experiences.

Our Healthwatch Surrey and Giving Carers a Voice services champion the voice of local carers to share, improve and get the best from NHS health and social care services.

We will be going out to speak to people, but you can also take part in our online survey, helping us to hear the experiences of as many people as possible.

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/CarersExperiencesGPPracticesHwSy2026/

[Image description: To the left is a photo of a GP with a stethoscope around their neck. To the right of this are the questions asked in the post. At the top of the image is the Luminus logo and at the bottom our strapline: Shining a light on what matters to people.]

24/09/2026

Surrey SEND Inspection – Have Your Say

Ofsted & CQC are inspecting Surrey’s SEND services, with the inspection visit in Surrey taking place week commencing 5 October.

You can have your say by completing the Ofsted & CQC parent carer survey which closes 9am Wednesday 30 September. https://ofsted.smartsurvey.co.uk/p/AreaSend/10436548

Family Voice Surrey have also set up 2 online meetings on Monday 28 September for you to share your views with Family Voice Surrey who will be meeting with inspectors - details in their post below.

Surrey SEND Inspection – Have Your Say

We have been notified today that Ofsted & CQC are inspecting Surrey’s SEND services, with the inspection visit in Surrey taking place week commencing 5 October.

Under the new inspection framework Ofsted and CQC do not meet directly with parent carers, for clarity this is an Ofsted decision and has not been made locally by the forum or Surrey County Council. However, you can have your say by completing the Ofsted & CQC parent carer survey which closes 9am Wednesday 30th September. https://ofsted.smartsurvey.co.uk/p/AreaSend/10436548

Share your experience with Family Voice Surrey

Next week Family Voice Surrey will be meeting with inspectors. We want to hear from you what’s working, what isn’t, and what needs to improve across education, health and social care from you before this meeting so we can share your views. You can find details of the 2 sessions we have set up for parents to meet with us (inspectors and Surrey Council will not be at these sessions)

Online parent carer sessions – Monday 28 September
Register for either session:
🕥 10:30am
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/liFeftU1Rm-lg2ftifxJuw

🕖 7:00pm

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/OyADeSpdTBKy0Lp_3O4PzA

Can’t attend? Email [email protected] by 8pm Monday 28 September.

Your experiences matter. Please share your views.

16/09/2026

This month we are visiting care homes across Surrey to find out about people's experiences of teeth and mouth care ...

As well as visiting care homes, we also have an online survey where you can share your experiences -

Live in a care home, or are a friend or family member please complete this survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/OralHealthCareHomesResidentFamilyHwsy2026-27/
Member of staff in a care home - please complete this survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/OralHealthCareHomesStaffHwsy2026-27/

Please note: Responses to these surveys are anonymous. The closing date for the survey is 15 November 2026.

Need a paper copy or prefer to share your experience in your own words? You can get in touch with our Helpdesk, who also provide information and signposting about health and social care services:
Phone: 0303 303 0023
SMS (text only): 07592 787 533
WhatsApp: 07592 787 533
Email: [email protected].

[Image description: At the top is a graphic of the roof of a house, under the roof are the words - Do you, a relative or a friend live in a care home? Or do you work in one? Underneath is a graphic of a toothbrush and toothpaste with the words:We would like to hear about experiences of teeth and mouth care in the care home. At the bottom are 3 icons of ways people can communicate: As well as visiting homes to hear from people we also have an online survey - We'd love to hear from you - survey closes 15 November. At the top of the image are the Luminus and Healthwatch Surrey logos.]

10/09/2026

Have you visited Royal Surrey County Hospital recently?
Or been to the Accident and Emergency Department at St Peter's Hospital recently?
What was your experience?

Throughout the year we are visiting different Surrey hospitals and asking people about their experiences. This month we are visiting Royal Surrey Councty Hospital and St Peter's Hospital but you can also share your experince via our survey or our Helpdesk.

Been to another Surrey hospital? No problem, whether you went for an appointment or a longer stay, we would still love to hear about your recent hospital experience.

Please complete our survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/HwSyHospitalFeedback2026/

If you need a paper copy, or would prefer to share your experience in your own words you can contact our Helpdesk who also provide information and signposting about health and social care services:
Phone: 0303 303 0023
SMS (text only): 07592 787 533
WhatsApp: 07592 787 533
Email: [email protected].



Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

[Image description: In the centre of the image is a photo of a hosptial sign, pointing to the Hospital Entrance and to the Emergency Department. Above the sign are the words: Have you recently been to hospital. Below the sign it says: Whether you went for an appointment or a longer stay, we would love to hear your about recent hospital experience.]