Improving support for people waiting for autism diagnosis

In response to concerns raised by local people and partners about long waits for autism assessment and diagnosis and a lack of support, Healthwatch Wolverhampton investigated people’s experiences to understand where improvements could be made to provide better care and support​.

Read the report

Improving access to GPs in Wolverhampton: An evaluation of phone and website booking systems

In response to concerns about access to GP services in the city, Healthwatch Wolverhampton has been tracking the quality and consistency of GP phone booking systems over time and reporting on areas of improvement.

During their 2023 investigation, they phoned all GP practices in Wolverhampton to see if they had made it easier for people to book appointments and access services since their 2022 investigation. They also asked local people about their experiences of using GP websites, to understand if GPs are using digital technology to make it easier for patients to book appointments and use their services.

The project report includes detailed recommendations to help improve access to GP services, including offering a wide variety of appointment booking methods to meet people’s needs, including those with a disability, impairment of sensory loss; improving website to make it easier for patients to book appointments, and better communication with patients.

Healthwatch Wolverhampton presented their findings to Wolverhampton’s Health Scrutiny Panel in January 2024 and shared their report with PCNs along with their individual practice data, to ensure they improve the experiences of their patients.

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Monitoring the quality of care homes​ in Wolverhampton

All local Healthwatch services have legal powers which they can use to `Enter and View` publicly funded health and social care services to see them in action and speak to people about their experience of using the service.

Improving the quality of care homes in Wolverhampton is a local priority. So, as part of Healthwatch Wolverhampton’s partnership working with the City of Wolverhampton Council and the Care Quality Commission, they have visited several care homes in the city.

During these visits, they look at the quality of service and the environment; collect feedback from patients, residents, carers, and relatives; and also speak to care home staff.  They identify areas for improvement and areas of best practice, and report their findings, including recommendations for change based on what people tell them.

These Enter and View reports are shared with those providing the service, regulators, the local authority, NHS commissioners, the public, Healthwatch England.

More information

What is Enter and View?

Read Healthwatch Wolverhampton’s Enter and View reports