News and reports

Healthwatch Nottingham and Nottinghamshire has submitted its formal response to the government’s consultation on the proposed “Online NHS Trust” — a major initiative aimed at expanding digital-first healthcare services across England.

The response draws on local insight and patient feedback to highlight both the potential benefits and the significant risks of moving toward a national, virtual healthcare model.

Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) are groups of patients who work with their GP practice to help improve services. NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) describes a PPG as a group of people who volunteer to work with their GP practice so it works as well as it can for patients and staff. Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) - NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB

Healthwatch Nottingham and Nottinghamshire regularly hear from people who are confused about how to access GP appointments online. One of our volunteers, Helen, recently tried to understand why booking through the NHS App isn’t always possible in practice. This wasn’t a formal research project — just one local citizen trying to understand the system — but looking across more than forty GP practice websites quickly revealed how complicated the landscape has become. Here is what she found:

Welcome to the Healthwatch Nottingham & Nottinghamshire February 2026 Newsletter!

In our final edition of the year, we include updates on the future of Healthwatch, and an illustration of our organisational strategy. We also introduce our latest Enter and View report, this time based in a GP practice. Our Annual General Meeting highlights are also featured, alongside our earliest project of the new year, focussing this time on the efficacy of the NHS App, and how you can participate. The newsletter also features positive patient feedback, and key issues raised by the community, all aimed at driving meaningful improvements in healthcare across the region.

Key highlights include our updates on the future of Healthwatch, highlights from our new Enter and View report, and details on our upcoming virtual event in relation to our GP Access Report. The newsletter also features positive patient feedback, advocacy updates, and key issues raised by the community, all aimed at driving meaningful improvements in healthcare across the region.

Key highlights include our updates on the future of Healthwatch, highlights from our new GP Access Report, and some updates from our partners. The newsletter also features positive patient feedback, advocacy updates, and key issues raised by the community, all aimed at driving meaningful improvements in healthcare across the region.

Healthwatch Nottingham & Nottinghamshire urge you to sign our petition to review the decision to abolish independent local Healthwatch.

131 local Healthwatch services across England have signed a powerful open letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, urging the government to reconsider proposals that would bring public voice functions under the control of local authorities and NHS bodies.

As changes to the NHS are proposed, Healthwatch Nottingham and Nottinghamshire remains committed to championing the voices of our communities, ensuring that people’s experiences continue to shape health and care services.

Key highlights include the last chance to secure tickets for the annual showcase, reflection on our Community Pharmacy Hot Topic Stakeholder Event, and recent news from our partners. This edition also shares encouraging patient stories, updates on our advocacy efforts, and pressing concerns raised by the community — all contributing to our shared goal of improving healthcare across the region.

Following the publication of our Community Pharmacy Hot Topic Report, we held an online Stakeholder event to present our research and findings on the 21st of May 2025.