1. What is flu and what is the flu vaccine?

    Advice and Information -

    As we enter Flu season it's important you know what the symptoms of flu are, and what the flu vaccine is, so you can make informed decisions about your health.

  2. Healthwatch Sheffield turns 10!

    News -

    In 2023, Healthwatch turned 10 years old. That’s 10 years of working to improve health and social care for people in Sheffield.

  3. #SpeakUp: CABS

    Report -

    The latest #SpeakUp report explores the experiences of South Asian men working as taxi drivers in Sheffield. Read more about what CABS (Champions in Achieving Better health in Sheffield) found out.

  4. August - September 2023 what have we been hearing?

    Report -

    These are the key things we've been hearing about in August and September 2023 including GP feedback, hospital care, and mental health services.

  5. Blog: My experience trying to get an ADHD diagnosis in Sheffield

    Blog -

    Waiting times for adult ADHD assessments in Sheffield are extremely high. In our newest blog, Paul shares his experience of trying to get a diagnosis - what led him to seek an assessment, what the biggest challenges were, and the things he's found helpful

  6. World Diabetes Day - a personal story

    Blog -

    14th November is World Diabetes Day. To mark it, our volunteer Brenda has shared her experiences of Diabetes, and the importance of research and development to support other patients.

  7. #SpeakUp: Space to Breathe

    Report -

    This is the first report from the 2023-24 round of #SpeakUp grants. Space to Breathe worked in partnership with others to run a pilot project, exploring the challenges faced by people trying to access mental health support from their GP practice. Read more about their findings.

  8. What are the symptoms and treatments for diabetes?

    Advice and Information -

    Diabetes UK estimates that five million people in the UK are living with diabetes, with 850,000 of them not yet diagnosed.

  9. What is a virtual ward?

    Advice and Information -

    With more and more appointments happening online, here are some practical tips on how to get the most out of virtual health and care appointments.

  10. What is menopause and what are the signs?

    Advice and Information -

    With more than thirty recognised symptoms of menopause and growing awareness of the impact on day-to-day life, it can help to know what to look out for and what support is available.

  11. Referrals and your right to choose

    Advice and Information -

    Did you know you can choose which hospital you go to when referred for a test, diagnosis, or treatment? Find out how.

  12. What can you expect when you’re discharged from hospital?

    Advice and Information -

    The usual processes the NHS follows to discharge you from hospital have changed since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s what you can expect when it’s time to leave hospital.

  13. What is SAD, and how can you manage it?

    Advice and Information -

    Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression triggered by seasonal changes. One in twenty people in the UK are diagnosed with the condition, with men more likely to be diagnosed with SAD than women.

  14. October- November 2023 what have we been hearing?

    Report -

    These are the key things we've been hearing about in October and November 2023 including GP feedback, hospital care, and issues with prescriptions.

  15. Our Quarterly report: July-September 2023

    Report -

    Find out more about what we've been doing over the last three months.

  16. What would help to improve health for Sheffield's taxi drivers?

    News -

    CABS used their #SpeakUp grant to explore the health and wellbeing of men working as taxi drivers in Sheffield. They found people's general health isn't that good - and there are obstacles to improving it.

  17. Cervical screening: What to expect from your smear test.

    Advice and Information -

    Cervical cancer screenings save at least 2,000 lives every year in the UK. Here's what you should expect from your smear test and why these screenings are important.

  18. Looking after your oral health while living in a care home

    Advice and Information -

    Living in a care home can increase your risk of oral health problems. That's why knowing what questions to ask care staff about your oral health or loved ones can prevent problems from developing.

  19. Can I access my GP records online?

    Advice and Information -

    From 31 October 2023, GP surgeries must give patients online access to their new health record entries. Find out what information is in your record and how to access it.

  20. What is social prescribing?

    Advice and Information -

    NHS social prescribing link workers can connect you to the right community groups and services to help support you.

  21. #SpeakUp: Saalik Youth Project

    Report -

    Saalik Youth Project's #SpeakUp report explores the experiences of young Pakistani Muslims living in Sheffield. Read more about what they found out.

  22. What matters to you? Get creative and you could win a £20 voucher

    News -

    Children's Mental Health week is in February and the theme is 'My Voice Matters'. Find out how you can have your say by getting creative.

  23. Experiences of palliative and end of life care in Sheffield

    Report -

    We spoke to people about their experiences of palliative and end of life care in Sheffield. Find out how people feel about the care and support they or their friends/family receive, and how services can work to make things better.

  24. What is accessing healthcare like for young people in Burngreave?

    News -

    Saalik Youth Project used their #SpeakUp grant to run sessions with their boys and girls groups. They told us what makes healthcare harder to access for young people - and the mixed role the internet plays in health and wellbeing.

  25. What is measles and who can get the vaccine?

    Advice and Information -

    Measles vaccination rates are at a ten-year low as cases rise nationwide. Find out about measles, who can get the vaccine, and what you can do to stay safe.

  26. What can the Pharmacy First scheme do for me?

    Advice and Information -

    The NHS has launched a major transformation to try and make it easier for patients to access the care they need.

  27. Our Quarterly report: October-December 2023

    Report -

    Find out more about what we've been doing over the last three months.

  28. What matters to us? Children and young people's art project

    Report -

    In February 2024, we ran a children and young people's art project where people aged 18 and under could submit drawings, paintings and collages to show us what is important to them. Take a look at the pictures, and find out what matters to young people in Sheffield.

  29. December- January 2024 what have we been hearing?

    Report -

    These are the key things we've been hearing about in December - January 2024 including GP feedback, hospital care, and mental health services.

  30. February- March 2024 what have we been hearing?

    Report -

    These are the key things we've been hearing about in February- March 2024 including GP feedback, hospital care, and mental health services.

  31. #SpeakUp: Parson Cross Community Development Forum

    Report -

    This #SpeakUp report explores what it's like for older people living in Parson Cross to access health and social care services in their neighbourhood and the wider city. Read the findings below.

  32. Parson Cross: older people's access to health and care

    News -

    Parson Cross Community Development Forum used their #SpeakUp grant to speak to older people living in their neighbourhood. They told us about the support they could access locally - and what made it harder to do so.

  33. April- May 2024 what have we been hearing?

    Report -

    These are the key things we've been hearing about in February- March 2024 including GP feedback, hospital care, and patient transport.

  34. Your Health, Your Rights: A Teen’s Guide

    Advice and Information -

    When can you see a doctor alone? When will they speak to your parents? Understanding your healthcare rights as a young person can be confusing. We have put together some information about the services available to you, as well as your rights to treatment and confidentiality.

  35. The value of listening: our annual report 2023-24

    Report -

    This annual report reflects on our 10th year as a local Healthwatch, listening to people from all across Sheffield and ensuring your views, experiences, and priorities are fed in to NHS and social care services at all levels.

  36. Update on Global IT Outage and impact on GP services

    Advice and Information -

    The NHS announces that systems are now back online following the global IT outage on Friday, 19 July. Patients are advised to attend appointments as normal unless told otherwise by their GP practice.

  37. Who are physician associates and what do they do?

    Advice and Information -

    Have you heard of physician associates? Since 2003, they've been caring for NHS patients. Physician associates can check your health, find out what's wrong, and plan your treatment.

    With the NHS planning to employ more physician associates, find out what care they can offer you and how their role differs from that of fully qualified doctors.

  38. #SpeakUp: SAVTE

    Report -

    This SpeakUp report explores experiences of using health services from the perspective of English-language learners. Find out about the impact language barriers can have, and the types of language support that would help people play a more active role in managing their health and wellbeing.

  39. Older people from an African, Caribbean, and South Asian heritage - their views on support, information and advice

    Report -

    This report can help health, social care, and voluntary sector services to understand how to develop more inclusive and accessible city-wide support for older people in our ethnically diverse communities living in Sheffield.

  40. What is GP collective action and what does it mean for patients?

    News -

    In August 2024, GPs voted to take 'collective action' to protest the limited increase in funding for GP services in England, and the general pressures that GPs face. Find out what this means.

  41. Annual GP patient survey: results published

    News -

    Every year the national GP patient survey asks people across the country about their GP practice. Explore this year's results, and see how GP practices in South Yorkshire compare.

  42. Changing Places and accessible toilets near you

    Advice and Information -

    Changing Places are toilets designed to provide extra facilities for people with severe or multiple disabilities.

  43. Our quarterly report: January - March 2024

    Report -

    Find out more about what we've been doing over the last three months.

  44. Our quarterly report: April - June 2024

    Report -

    Find out more about what we've been doing over the last three months.

  45. What is adult social care?

    Advice and Information -

    Do you or a loved one need help with social care? Read the article below to find out answers to key questions including who can access adult social care and how to pay for it.

  46. June- July 2024 what have we been hearing?

    Report -

    These are the key things we've been hearing about in June- July 2024 including GP feedback, hospital care, young people's access to healthcare and issues with home care providers.

  47. A new mobile testing unit for sexual health in Sheffield: have your say

    News -

    Sexual Health Sheffield are developing plans for a new mobile testing unit that will help make STI testing more accessible across the city. They want to hear your views on what this should look like.

  48. How to make cervical screening (a smear test) work for you

    Advice and Information -

    Cervical screening, previously known as a smear test, saves over 4,000 lives every year in the UK. However, some women find it uncomfortable, so it's important to know what support is available and what adjustments you can request.

  49. If you're trans or non-binary, what's your experience of GP services?

    News -

    Complete our short survey and let us know about your experiences accessing GP services as a gender-diverse individual.