Annual Report 2025/26

Healthwatch Staffordshire report on its key achievements for 2025/26. It:

• Influenced improvements to services through major research on gynaecological conditions, mental health after discharge, NHS dentistry and Pharmacy First, ensuring residents’ experiences informed local NHS and care system discussions.
• Reached seldom-heard communities through an Engagement Fund, awarding over £28,000 to more than 40 voluntary and community groups to gather feedback from underrepresented residents across Staffordshire. 
• Improved understanding and access to NHS dental services by producing a widely praised accessible guide, translated into Punjabi, Urdu, Polish, Easy Read and British Sign Language formats. 
• Strengthened patient influence on local services through Enter and View visits to care homes, pharmacies, GP practices and hospital services, leading to recommendations on communication, patient education, engagement and quality improvement. 
• Amplified the voices of people whose experiences are often overlooked, including women with gynaecological conditions, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, people using mental health services, and diverse cultural communities across the county.