The Patient Experience Library

From Service to Civilian - A local perspective on how support for veterans evolves after discharge from service

This project was undertaken following a 2024 update by Kent Public Health to its Armed Forces Needs Assessment, which highlighted how previous engagement to understand veterans' experiences of health and social care had been limited.

Quarterly Impact Report

Healthwatch Surrey, Quarterly Impact Report, April - June 2025

Veterans Voices - Veterans experiences of health and social care services

Healthwatch Dudley, Veterans Voices, Veterans experiences of health and social care services, July 2025

Improving the Health of Americans Together - An evidence-based framework for addressing the root causes of illness in the U.S.

n May, the White House and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. released the so-called MAHA Report, which describes his opinions on the causes of declining health among Americans, and particularly children. Attributed to a MAHA Commission whose members overwhelmingly lacked relevant experience or qualifications, unsurprisingly, this report was based on false, flawed and fundamentally incorrect interpretations of science, medicine, disease outcomes and public health, making it untenable as a basis for meaningful reform. Indeed, the MAHA Report begins with a false premise in its very name: the mythical notion that America, and especially its children, were all once healthy and we should return to this previous condition. But statistics on childhood mortality show that, despite real problems, our children are vastly more likely to live to adulthood today than they were 75 years or more ago. While it is not our purpose here to critique that original report, we note that the MAHA report section on vaccines is particularly duplicitous and egregious. Among other issues with the MAHA Report, it barely if at all considers the foundation of the challenges to a healthier America: the social determinants of health (SDH). SDH can be defined as the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship and age that affect a wide range of health functioning, quality-of-life outcomes, and risks. These conditions include educational access and attainment, access to healthcare, neighborhoods and the built environment, and economic stability. Improving the health of Americans cannot be addressed without SDH as a foundation, and because of its overarching impact, we have included it in each of the pillars of this plan listed below. Secretary Kennedy now offers his supposed solutions to the problems outlined in May. But solutions based on distorted opinions and ignored facts cannot advance sound health policy, and in fact can do little but impede progress. Rather than simply criticize Mr. Kennedy's work, Defend Public Health believes it is important to outline some key policies that would truly improve Americans' health. We do this with no expectation that Mr. Kennedy or the administration will adopt our recommendations. We do this so fellow Americans can choose to support science-based efforts that will result in a healthier America. What follows is far from exhaustive. But if, as a nation, we truly want to protect and promote the health of both children and adults, we must begin with truth rather than pseudo-scientific posturing

What you told us

Between January and June 2025, we received detailed feedback from 417 individuals from talking to people at face-to-face events, telephone calls, emails, website queries, social media and other sources.

Enter and View Report - Hollins Park, 65 Victoria Road, Macclesfield SK10 3JA

Enter and View Report - The Oaks Care Home, Hartrigg Oaks, New Earswick, York YO32 4DY

Enter and View Report - Little Harwood Health Centre, Plane Tree Rd, Blackburn BB1 6PH

Experiences of Cervical Screening in Derbyshire and Derby City

Cervical screening is a test to check the health of the cervix and help prevent cervical cancer. It used to be called a smear test. It is offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64. Between February and April 2025, we collected the views of 294 people from Derbyshire and Derby City about cervical screening. We did this through an online survey. The survey was done alongside 11 semi-structured interviews.

Beyond the Pain, An Overview of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Care

Healthwatch East Riding of Yorkshire (HWERY) received enquiries and information about the support and services available for people with Endometriosis and Adenomyosis in the East Riding region. With both positive and negative experiences impacting on the health and wellbeing of patients, a further look into healthcare surrounding these conditions was carried out.