Annual Report 2025/26

Healthwatch County Durham report on their key achievements for 2025/26.  It:

• Influenced improvements to miscarriage and bereavement care, with NHS partners enhancing bereavement training, developing specialist support, introducing discharge packs, and reviewing care pathways following Healthwatch research. 
• Reviewed the Community Mental Health Transformation programme, gathering experiences from service users and providers and securing a commitment from the Mental Health Trust to re-evaluate the programme and identify further improvements. 
• Expanded its Enter & View programme, carrying out seven visits to care homes across County Durham, including services supporting people with learning disabilities, dementia and specialist care needs.
• Improved public understanding and access to services through work on Pharmacy First, ADHD Right to Choose guidance, medication changes, appointment booking systems, and mental health and wellbeing support. 
• Strengthened engagement with underrepresented groups, including LGBTQ+ communities, veterans, deaf and hard of hearing residents, rural communities, carers and people experiencing mental health issues, ensuring their experiences informed service development.