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News & reports
News
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
£1 Million for Southend Hospital
The government has announced £1 million of funding to help plan improvements to hospital buildings in Southend. This is part of a larger funding programme from the Department of Health and Social Care. The tower block is an important part of the hospital. It provides care for local people, including: Cancer care Outpatient services Maternity care Neonatal care for newborn babies Other inpatient services The funding will help the hospital develop a detailed business case for r
Healthwatch Southend
Sep 10
Reports
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
22 hours ago
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
Would you use a national online hospital?
As part of its plans to reduce waiting times, the Government has suggested the development of a new NHS Trust, which will offer outpatient consultations online. Over three years, the Government hopes that an extra 8 million appointments will be available. Healthwatch services around England have been asked for their views. We act as your voice when changes are suggested to the NHS. Starting with three specialties in 2027, patients will be able to choose an online consultat
Healthwatch Southend
Mar 2
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