News and reports

Each quarter, we publish the experiences of patients that we have gathered. This helps us to see trends in care compared to previous months.

We have seen an increase in the percentage of people sharing positive feedback about GPs in the Borough and, in a similar trend, the feedback on hospital services is more positive at the end of the year than the start of the year.
The experience of Dental services is also more positive at the end of the year, albeit dropping slightly from a high in Q3.

Positive experiences of pharmacy services have increased significantly, by 20% over the course of the year, experiencing quarter upon quarter improvement and, although lower in number, Optician service feedback has increased to 80% positive feedback.

Our Annual Report goes over what has happened throughout the year and what we have been up to at Healthwatch Lewisham.

As another quarter comes to an end, we reflect on how things have progressed over these months.

Maximising Wellbeing at Home is a program to support people in their own homes.

We have been working on a report into the health experiences of transgender and non-binary people in Lewisham. In this report we dive into their experiences, to find out how services can be made better.

In November 2023, we conducted an Enter and View visit to Brownhill Lodge Care home. Brownhill Lodge is a residential care provider and home in Catford, currently housing 19 people with dementia, cognitive impairments, or learning disabilities.

National HIV Testing Week is celebrating 10 year of campaigning to increase testing in the UK.

From July – September 2023, Healthwatch Lewisham has compiled over 1,000 reviews of and conducted over 40 visits to local healthcare services. Lewisham residents responded to how they were treated by hospital staff, quality of treatment, and appointment availability

Healthwatch Lewisham staff and Enter & View Authorised Representatives carried out a visit in February 2023, to Ladywell Unit, based at University Hospital Lewisham. It houses two wards, Wharton and Powell, that provide services for women and men, respectively, with acute psychiatric illnesses. 

National and local efforts have afforded increased attention to LGBTQ+ health and well-being, but this research often emphasises those identifying as gay/lesbian or bisexual, excluding those identifying as trans or non-binary.

We want to capture the experiences of our trans community members in Lewisham by asking them questions about their interactions with mental health, sexual health, GP services, and other health services. All interviews will be conducted by members of the trans community.

To be considered, you should identify as trans or non-binary and either live in the borough, or access health services in the borough. You will receive £20 for your time. With recent funding, we are looking for spaces to conduct the interviews as well as open to anyone who would like to get involved in the research project.

If you are interested, please send us an email at INFO@healthwatchlewisham.co.uk and we can organize a session!

Healthwatch Lewisham staff and Enter & View Authorised Representatives carried out a visit in February 2023, to the Powell Ward of the Ladywell Unit, based at University Hospital Lewisham. It provides services to men aged 18-65 with acute mental health problems. During the visit we talked to service users, staff, and management.

Healthwatch Lewisham staff and Enter & View Authorised Representatives carried out a visit in  February, 2023, to the Wharton Ward of the Ladywell Unit, based at University Hospital Lewisham. It provides services to women ages 18-65, with acute psychiatric illness. During the visit we talked to service users, staff, and management.