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News & reports
News
Healthwatch is here to stay
We are pleased to see the Government's announcement that Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch will not be abolished, as previously proposed eighteen months ago. This means Healthwatch Southend, alongside all 150+ local Healthwatch organisations and our national body, Healthwatch England, will continue to be your champion for health and care, ensuring your voices, opinions and experiences help make systems and services work better for people and communities. Looking ahead
Healthwatch Southend
4 days ago
Planned improvements to GP surgeries in Southend
Essex Integrated care board (EICB), who commissione NHS healthcare services for Southend has today shared an update on plans to improve and potentially expand GP surgery facilities across Essex. For Southend residents, the plans currently include Shoebury Health Centre, North Avenue Surgery and Norton Place, where proposals are being progressed. There are also possible plans to improve the buildings and facilities at Thorpe Bay Surgery and Valkyrie Surgery in Westcliff. These
Healthwatch Southend
Oct 1
Update on Norton Place and Southend Coastal Surgeries
After hearing from Southend residents and patients of Southend Coastal Surgeries about the closure of Norton Place, and the subsequent notification that the site would reopen on 5 October, Healthwatch Southend contacted one of the partners at the network of GP practices. We asked them to respond to some of the questions that patients had raised: Will Norton Place be used as it was before, to provide additional healthcare services from the GP practices? Will there be a blood t
Healthwatch Southend
Sep 24
Reports
Supporting our community to access healthcare support
We recently had the pleasure of visiting Welcome 2 the UK, a charity based in Southend that supports people to learn English, settle into the community and access the help and support they need. During our visit, we delivered an informative session about navigating NHS services, helping people to understand what healthcare support is available and where to go depending on their needs. We explored a range of NHS services, including: · Pharmacy First · Treating mino
Healthwatch Southend
3 days ago
Report: How was your experience at Southend Hospital’s Eye Unit?
Healthwatch Southend visited Southend Hospital’s Eye Unit in June 2026 to listen to patients’ experiences and identify what works well and where improvements are needed. The report recognises the professionalism of staff, the importance placed on patient privacy and dignity, and the generally positive waiting environment. However, patients also highlighted challenges, including finding the clinic, contacting the service, receiving appointment updates and understanding delays.
Healthwatch Southend
Oct 20
Annual Report: Your Voice in 2025-26
Our Annual Report is now available to read. Everything we've achieved this year has been possible because local people took the time to share their experiences of health and social care in Southend. Your stories, feedback and insights have helped us raise concerns, influence improvements and support people to find the information they need. While the future of Healthwatch remains uncertain, one thing hasn't changed: we will continue to listen, amplify your voice and be here t
Healthwatch Southend
Jul 15
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