News and reports

In Healthwatch England's latest annual report, we show that listening to people’s health and care experiences and giving them a voice is more important than ever.
While the Government’s announcement last year that it would transfer our functions to national and local government was disappointing, we welcomed their acknowledgement of the impact we’ve made.
We’re proud to share some of that impact in our annual report, which shows the changes our work led to and the issues we uncovered in 2024/25. But it also highlights how the public’s voice influenced that work at every step.

As the government prepares to refresh the Women Health’s Strategy, we share new findings on women’s top priorities.

What will the new GP contract mean for your care? And how did we use your feedback to call for a contract that works for you?

Healthwatch Rochdale representatives conducted an Enter and View visit at The Dawes Family Practice on 27/10/2025 at 13.30 as part of a planned Quality Visit by the Primary Care Team, Greater Manchester Integrated Care HMR (Heywood, Middleton, and Rochdale locality).

People in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale suffering from mental health issues this winter are urged to reach out for help and support from the NHS.

Healthwatch Rochdale representatives conducted an Enter and View visit at The Village Medical Centre, Littleborough on 23/09/2025 as part of a planned Quality Visit conducted by the Primary Care Team, GM Integrated Care HMR (Heywood, Middleton, and Rochdale locality). The Village Practice is a GP practice in Littleborough with a list size of approximately 4,200 patients and run by GP Care Services.

Healthwatch Rochdale representatives conducted an Enter and View visit at Hopwood Medical Centre on 14/10/2025 at 10.00 as part of a planned Quality Visit by the Primary Care Team, Greater Manchester Integrated Care HMR (Heywood, Middleton, and Rochdale locality). Hopwood Medical Centre is a GP practice in Heywood in the Rochdale Borough. The practice is in a purpose-built building and has about 9,000 patients.

Healthwatch Rochdale representatives conducted an Enter and View visit at Mark Street Surgery on 16/09/2025 as part of a planned Quality Visit conducted by the Primary Care Team, GM Integrated Care HMR (Heywood, Middleton, and Rochdale locality). Mark Street Surgery is a GP practice in Rochdale with a list size of approximately 9,200 patients.

One in seven patients who have been referred by their GP are stuck waiting for specialist care due to GP referrals being delayed, lost, or rejected.

Healthwatch Rochdale representatives conducted an Enter and View visit at The Woodside Medical Centre on 17/07/2025 at 10.00am as part of a planned Quality Visit conducted by the Primary Care Team, GM Integrated Care Heywood, Middleton, and Rochdale (HMR) locality.

Healthwatch in Greater Manchester have launched an important new project lead by Healthwatch Bury to improve support for men living with or affected by prostate cancer.

Board Papers for the Public Board Meeting held on Thursday 9th of October 2025 are available to download below.