1. New Year public health guidance to deal with ‘twindemic’

    News -

    People are being urged to wear face masks in public if they are unwell and keep ill children off school, to help protect whole communities from Covid and flu.

  2. Patients and public need urgent reassurance on NHS winter crisis and recovery

    News -

    Healthwatch are concerned that coverage in recent days showing the NHS at breaking point will exacerbate already-low public confidence that people can get urgent and emergency care when they need it most.

  3. What's Trypanophobia

    Advice and Information -

    Trypanophobia is one of the most common types of phobia. It is particularly prevalent in children, with up to 66% of children experiencing a needle phobia at some point in their childhood.

  4. Prevention is the best medicine - what to expect from your smear test

    Advice and Information -

    Cervical cancer screenings save at least 2,000 lives every year in the UK. Here's what you should expect from your smear test and why these screenings are important.

  5. Minutes of the Strategic Advisory Board Meeting 16th November 2022

    Report -

    Our Strategic Advisory Board meets regularly throughout the year to discuss our strategic direction, what people are telling us and to make sure we are fulfilling our statutory duty.

  6. Barnsley Hospital News - January to March 2023

    Report -

    The first ‘Barnsley Hospital News’ edition for 2023 is now out!

  7. Are you a parent of a young person with a stammer?

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at our video ‘Advice to support young people who stammer’ for tips of what you can do to help:

  8. What's Marfan Syndrome

    Advice and Information -

    Marfan syndrome and related conditions affect the body’s connective tissue. Connective tissue holds all the body’s cells, organs and tissue together. It also plays an important role in helping the body grow and develop properly.

  9. Have you heard about Resolute Women's Support Services?

    Advice and Information -

    Supporting women to find their strength, determination and dignity after the traumatic effects of domestic abuse and violence.

  10. What's Hydrocephalus?

    Advice and Information -

    Hydrocephalus is a build-up of fluid in the brain. The excess fluid puts pressure on the brain, which can damage it.

    If left untreated, hydrocephalus can be fatal.

  11. What is IBS?

    Advice and Information -

    It's thought that 1 in 20 of us in the UK have IBS.

  12. ‘Review culture’ is on the rise, yet only one in ten feed back on health services.

    News -

    Patient champion appeals for more people to feedback on NHS care.

  13. NHS Prescription charges from 1st April 2023

    Advice and Information -

    From Saturday 1st April 2023, NHS prescriptions will be increasing by 3.21%

  14. UK Emergency Alert test

    News -

    On Sunday 23 April there will be a national UK Emergency Alert test between 3pm and 3.30pm

  15. How to help women benefit from new policy on cheaper HRT

    Advice and Information -

    The new prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has proved popular, with 37,700 being purchased online by women within the first few days of its launch on 1 April.

  16. Barnsley GP practice changes due to safety concern with building

    News -

    Due to safety concerns regarding the structure of the Brierley Medical Centre building, the site will be temporarily closing pending further investigation after from the end of the day on Friday 22 April 2023.

  17. Where can I go to get help for my health out of hours?

    Advice and Information -

    Health issues unfortunately don't leave us alone at the weekend and people are often in need of medical assistance out of hours. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.

  18. Primary care recovery plan – what does it mean for you and your loved ones?

    Blog -

    NHS England has recently published its "Delivery plan for recovering access to primary care". We outline what the planned changes will mean for you.

  19. What is Gout?

    Advice and Information -

    Gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden, severe joint pain.

  20. Hygiene Poverty Report - January to March 2023

    Report -

    Read our report and see how residents in Barnsley are being affected by the Cost of Living Crisis.

  21. What is end of life care like in South Yorkshire?

    News -

    We want to understand what would make experiences of end of life care better for people in South Yorkshire. Share your views with us.

  22. Working together to keep adults in Barnsley free from harm

    Advice and Information -

    We believe that everyone has a right to feel safe and to live without fear of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

  23. What is Dysphagia?

    Advice and Information -

    Dysphagia is where you have problems swallowing. It's usually caused by certain medicines or another condition, such as acid reflux or a stroke.

  24. What is Hepatitis?

    Advice and Information -

    Hepatitis is the term used to describe inflammation of the liver. It's usually the result of a viral infection or liver damage caused by drinking alcohol.

  25. Town’s gonorrhoea cases double

    News -

    The number of gonorrhoea cases in Barnsley almost doubled last year - as the figures hit a record high

  26. NHS meeting planned by campaign group

    News -

    HEALTHCARE woes in the town - which campaigners say must be put right to combat rocketing amounts of residents awaiting surgery due to an enormous backlog - will result in an ‘emergency’ public meeting being held just days after the NHS marks its 75th anniversary.

  27. Barnsley Hospital Foundation Trust - Membership & The Council of Governors

    Advice and Information -

    Did you know you can become a member of Barnsley Hospital Foundation Trust?

  28. My Life with Epilepsy - New free resources

    Advice and Information -

    SUDEP Action has launched its new resources for people with a learning disability and autistic people with epilepsy to help people live safer lives.

  29. Our policy position on accessible information

    News -

    By law, people in England have the right to get healthcare in the format they can understand. However, there’s a growing body of evidence suggesting that this is not happening. Read our policy position.

  30. Barnsley Pain Management Service Review 2023

    News -

    Are you living with pain everyday?
    Do you feel like the pain management services in Barnsley, available to you are up to scratch?

  31. Healthwatch Barnsley's 10th Anniversary Celebration is a huge success!

    News -

    Healthwatch Barnsley celebrated their 10th Anniversary with an event for service providers at Barnsley Metrodome on the 9th August 2023.

  32. What is Executive Dysfunction?

    Advice and Information -

    Executive dysfunction is a term that not many people are familiar with, but one that commonly affects brain injury survivors. It can interfere with many aspects of life including activities of daily living, relationships, managing finances and working.

  33. The challenges neurodivergent people face receiving care

    Blog -

    Neurodiversity is a word used to describe the different thinking styles that affect how people communicate with the world around them. It includes dyslexia, autism, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette's Syndrome and more. Neurodivergent people encounter challenges accessing services which meet their needs.

  34. Barnsley FC’s Official Charity sees name change

    News -

    Following a recent change within our organisation the charity will now be known as Barnsley FC Community Trust (formally Reds in the Community) This change is publicly effective from Friday 28th July 2023.

  35. What is Heart valve disease?

    Advice and Information -

    If one or more of your heart valves don’t work like they should, it can affect your blood flow and put extra strain on your heart. If this causes you problems, it may need treatment with medicines or surgery.

  36. What is Arthritis?

    Advice and Information -

    There are thought to be 10 million people with some form of arthritis in the UK. It is the most common cause of disability in the UK and can affect people of all ages, not just older people.

  37. Almost half of kids ‘unhealthily overweight’

    News -

    A COLLABORATION between a number of health services across Barnsley has started after figures revealed that almost half of the town’s youngsters are classed as ‘unhealthily overweight’ when they leave primary schools.

  38. Vaping resources for secondary pupils

    Advice and Information -

    With a rise in the number of children vaping, Better Health have created teaching resources aimed at helping Key Stage 3 children understand the impact that vaping has on their physical and mental wellbeing.

  39. Millions of women in UK face severe period pain but symptoms dismissed, survey finds

    News -

    Vast majority of women polled had experienced mental health problems in relation to their period

  40. Shortage of medicines for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

    News -

    There is a national supply shortage of the medication prescribed to help manage ADHD symptoms.

  41. Thousands of patients to be offered the chance to travel for treatment

    Response -

    Our response to NHS England's announcement on travel options for people facing long waits for care.

  42. People are your partners in care, so involve them in shaping services

    Blog -

    Chris McCann, Director of Communications Insight and Campaigns at Healthwatch England, explains the role people can play in improving health outcomes in their communities.

  43. New surgical centre in Mexborough named - Mexborough Elective Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence (M-E-OC)

    News -

    Over 1,500 local people voted over the weekend on the name of our new surgical centre at Montagu Hospital in Mexborough. With 56% of the vote, we are pleased to announce that the service will be called the 'Mexborough Elective Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence' or M-E-OC for short.

  44. What are fibroids?

    Advice and Information -

    Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in and around the womb. They can cause heavy periods and other symptoms, such as pressure and pain. There are treatments to help.

  45. What is a virtual ward?

    Advice and Information -

    With more and more appointments happening online, we've put together some tips on how to get the most out of the virtual health and care appointments both for patients and health and care professionals.

  46. What is menopause and what are the signs?

    Advice and Information -

    With more than thirty recognised symptoms of menopause and growing awareness of the impact on day-to-day life, it can help to know what to look out for and what support is available.

  47. Pharmacy reforms to bring new services to the high street

    News -

    Thousands of women across England will be able to get the contraceptive pill at their local pharmacy from next month, as part of a major expansion of primary care services.

  48. Virtual ward eases backlog...

    News -

    A SO-CALLED ‘virtual ward’ which has been brought in by Barnsley Hospital - where patients can access care from home and not face lengthy waiting times - is set to be increased in capacity over the winter due to its success.

  49. Childhood vaccinations not hitting targets

    News -

    FEWER children were vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella last year - as just one childhood vaccine for babies in Barnsley met the required target.

  50. Healthwatch Barnsley are Committed to Quality

    News -

    At Healthwatch Barnsley, we aim to provide the best service we can to our community and to make the greatest difference we can to local people.