News and reports

Healthwatch Rochdale representatives conducted an Enter and View visit at The Ghafoor Family Practice on 10/07/2025 as part of a planned Quality Visit carried out by the Primary Care Team, GM Integrated Care HMR (Heywood, Middleton, and Rochdale locality).
The Ghafoor Family Practice is a GP practice in the Rochdale Borough with a patient list size of approximately 6,500.

Over several months in 2024, Healthwatch Rochdale received a growing number of concerns from d/Deaf residents and those with hearing difficulties about their experiences with local healthcare services. This feedback came through our online feedback portals and highlighted serious barriers to care.

Over several months, Healthwatch Rochdale received a growing number of negative experiences from Rochdale residents who are d/Deaf or have hearing impairments, shared through our feedback portals regarding local healthcare services.

The index celebrates the champions of inclusive cultures and best practice in Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement.

The purpose of the visit was to review how patients access GP services, including appointment booking systems, accessibility of information, and the overall patient experience. While no patients were present in the waiting area during the visit, observations and staff engagement highlighted several key areas for improvement and good practice.

ADHD and autism are two neurodiversity conditions that present in contrasting ways. In Healthwatch England's recent research they heard from people who were diagnosed with, or suspected they had, both conditions. They talked to them about the impact of being diagnosed with both conditions.

Local Healthwatch organisations across England including all 10 Healthwatch in Greater Manchester, have signed a joint open letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

Healthwatch Rochdale expresses deep concern and disappointment following the Government's announcement that Healthwatch England and the network of local Healthwatch bodies across the country are to be closed.

As part of the NHS 10 year plan, they are looking at improving digital services including the NHS app.
Have you recently needed to use a digital device to book an appointment, view your health care results or faced issues setting up an account on the NHS App?

People who have a sensory impairment or a learning disability continue to face difficulty communicating with services. Read our latest blog.

Six months ago, Healthwatch in Greater Manchester published our report on children and young people’s experiences of accessing mental health support across Greater Manchester. The findings—based on the voices of over 1,200 young people, parents, and professionals—highlighted long waits, inconsistent communication, and the emotional toll of navigating Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

We have published our 2024/25 Annual Report showing how we have helped to shape and make a difference to local health and social care services.