Here are some of the ways Healthwatch Wolverhampton used your feedback to help NHS and social care decision-makers prioritise the issues that matter most to local people to help make care better.
- Addressing needs for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people using hospital services: They engaged with the Deaf community to understand the communication challenges faced within local hospitals and gathered insights from interpreters who support them. Healthwatch will work with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust on the best course of action to help mitigate the issues raised. (Read the report)
- Ensuring a joined up experience for those receiving Adult Social Care: Following community engagement to understand the types of services residents are receiving and how they work together, their report highlighted the need for clear regular communication with service users along with accessible information and support. These suggestions are being considered by Adult Social Care teams. (Read the report)
- Reaching out to those communities whose voices may go unheard: Healthwatch Wolverhampton investigated the current state of getting audiology care for care home residents and presented their findings at the Health Scrutiny Panel. This work gave insight into local service gaps that would otherwise be overlooked and urged further work by relevant partners. (Read the report)
- Improving care for people through a Patient Participation Group (PPG): Following concerns raised around the lack of patient inclusion to discuss local GP practice issues and experiences, Healthwatch Wolverhampton provided guidance and support to a renewed PPG that will meet soon.
- Making pharmacy services more accessible: The Rowlands Pharmacy, based in New Cross Hospital responded to Enter and View recommendations by producing an action plan to make some immediate and positive changes.
- Improving the quality of care homes: They carried out an Enter & View visit as part of their joint working with the City of Wolverhampton Council and the Care Quality Commission to support quality monitoring of residential care homes.
Healthwatch Wolverhampton projects for 2026/27
In 2026/27, Healthwatch Wolverhampton will continue to engage with communities across the city, and make sure those in power hear the views and experiences of our diverse communities. The top three priorities for the year are:
- Patient experience of GP access and appointments.
- Strengthening Adult Social Care insight and engaging on the effectiveness of Integrated Neighbourhood Team implementation.
- Our future healthcare. Proposals to abolish Healthwatch presents a risk to the protection of an independent voice and feedback system. This project enables the voices of all parts of society to live long through creation of legacy artwork.
Announcing the annual report, Mandy Poonia, Co-Chair of Healthwatch Wolverhampton’s Oversight Group, said: “Healthwatch Wolverhampton has continued to deliver value over the last year – giving people a voice, supporting them to access services, and working strategically to influence positive change. However, the changes ahead bring uncertainty. It is essential that whatever replaces or sits alongside the current model ensures the patient voice remains strong, independent, and influential. Our work has shown time and again: when we listen to communities, services improve; when we stop listening, people suffer.”
More information
Read the full Healthwatch Wolverhampton Annual Report 2025/26 to find out more about their work.
Keep up-to-date with Healthwatch Wolverhampton’s news and events and get involved:
- Sign up for regular updates
- Visit the website, where you can also share your feedback about Wolverhampton’s health and care services: Share your views