1. What is SAD, and how can you manage it?

    Advice and Information -

    Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression triggered by seasonal changes. One in twenty people in the UK are diagnosed with the condition, with men more likely to be diagnosed with SAD than women.

  2. Dental services in Barnsley Report - August 2023

    Report -

    Following the recurrence of dentistry concerns in the top intelligence trends, we decided to conduct a quick snapshot survey of dentists in Barnsley.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Minutes of the Strategic Advisory Board Meeting 18th October 2023

    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. Action promised to save men’s lives

    News -

    ‘CRUCIAL’ early detection of prostate cancer is being fatally missed in Barnsley and almost one in five men are being diagnosed at an advanced stage of illness when treatment is too late, new research has revealed.

  7. What does Enter and View mean?

    News -

    Enter and View is a statutory function of Healthwatch Barnsley allowing us to enter health and social care premises to hear, or see, how people experience the service.

  8. Improvements needed at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust following CQC inspection

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated two services run by South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust as requires improvement following an inspection in May.

  9. Healthwatch Barnsley Strategic Advisory Board Meeting 15th November 2023

    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.

  10. What homeless people told us about their experience of health and care services

    Blog -

    Homeless people have worse mental and physical health than the general population. Our research shows issues with access to the health and social care they need

  11. Newsletter - October to December 2023

    News -

    Our brand new newsletter is now available.

  12. Barriers and inequalities in cervical screening

    Blog -

    This week is Cervical Cancer Prevention Week. Our new blog brings together some of the key challenges people have shared about cervical screening with local Healthwatch and outlines the steps we are taking nationally to address those.

  13. What is Homocystinuria?

    Advice and Information -

    Homocystinuria (HCU) is a rare but potentially serious inherited condition.

    It means the body can't process the amino acid methionine. This causes a harmful build-up of substances in the blood and urine.

  14. HAPI zones would address health inequality

    News -

    MORE than one in 20 people in Barnsley say they are living with poor health, making the town one of the worst-affected areas in the country.

  15. 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.

  16. Hygiene Poverty Update On Barnsley residents across the Borough

    Report -

    During Hygiene Poverty Awareness Week in October 2023, we spoke to Barnsley people about what hygiene poverty meant to them, their hygiene needs and if they were finding it difficult to buy hygiene products


  17. NHS Dental Recovery Plan - our response

    Response -

    Under a new plan published today, people will benefit from millions more NHS dental appointments over the next year. Read our response.

  18. What can the Pharmacy First scheme do for me?

    Advice and Information -

    The new Pharmacy First scheme enables your local pharmacy to treat some common conditions with prescription-only medicines, without you visiting your GP. Find out everything you need to know.

  19. Can I access my GP records online?

    Advice and Information -

    From 31 October 2023, GP surgeries must give patients online access to their new health record entries. Find out what information is in your record and how to access it.

  20. What is Encephalitis?

    Advice and Information -

    Encephalitis is an uncommon but serious condition in which the brain becomes inflamed (swollen).
    It can be life threatening and requires urgent treatment in hospital.

    Anyone can be affected, but the very young and very old are most at risk.

  21. Mind Gaming: Exploring the lived experience of player's mental wellbeing

    News -

    Mental health problems are a leading cause of ill-health in the UK. One in six adults in England report experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety or depression) in any given week. This unacceptably high level of mental ill-health is our biggest public health challenge

  22. Share your feedback to improve care in your community

    News -

    ‘Share for Better Care’, a new campaign launched by Healthwatch, aims to help address health inequalities across England.

  23. More than a third of people in Barnsley going without hygiene or sanitary products

    News -

    More than a third of people in Barnsley have had to go without hygiene or sanitary products due to the cost-of-living crisis.

  24. Up to 14,000 people could benefit from the first treatment for severe alopecia recommended by NICE

    News -

    New one-a-day tablet for people with severe hair loss due to alopecia areata recommended by NICE

  25. New clubs will help Barnsley children have healthier smiles

    News -

    Primary schools and other early years setting are being asked to help us join the fight against tooth decay in Barnsley children.

  26. Powerful herbs and spices: 25 alternatives to salt and sugar

    Blog -

    Herbs and spices can liven up your food and add variety. They are also better for your heart health than salt and sugar.

  27. CONfidence app for people with bladder and bowel leakage

    Advice and Information -

    The free CONfidence app provides self-help advice and information for people with bladder and bowel leakage, and carers and parents of children with symptoms.

  28. Our response to the increase in dental charges

    Response -

    Read our response to the increase in fees for NHS dental care.

  29. NHS to roll out ‘Martha’s Rule’

    Response -

    NHS England has today announced the rollout of ‘Martha’s Rule’ in hospitals across England from April, enabling patients and families to seek an urgent review if their condition deteriorates.

  30. Bringing health services to the high street with innovative plans for Barnsley town centre

    News -

    A partnership with local organisations will transform some parts of the Alhambra Shopping Centre in Barnsley into a health and wellbeing hub for the community. 

  31. Healthier Together - a South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Initiative

    Advice and Information -

    Healthier Together is a partnership project which continues to grow by putting children, young people and family’s needs at the heart of the website.

  32. Costing her family their health - Emma's story

    Blog -

    Emma can't afford dental care for their children. Because of stories like hers, we're calling for reform of NHS dentistry.

  33. Fears vaping could cause Cancer

    News -

    Shock study reveals e-cigs damage DNA just like smoking as top experts warn £5 gadgets loved by teens are 'not as harmless as originally thought'

  34. What is Endometriosis?

    News -

    Half of the UK isn’t aware of the life-changing condition that’s as a common in women and those assigned female at birth as diabetes and asthma.

  35. Surge in youth vaping prompts action

    News -

    A ‘CONCERNING’ surge in the popularity of vaping - particularly among youngsters - will lead to more work being done by health bosses in Barnsley to make all forms of smoking invisible.

  36. What health and social care issues should Healthwatch Barnsley look at for 2024/25?

    News -

    We need your help so that we can focus our projects on the things that really matter to people living in Barnsley.

  37. What do Barnsley people know about Adult Safeguarding?

    Report -

    During December 2023, Healthwatch Barnsley conducted a survey to find out what people in Barnsley really knew about Adult Safeguarding.


  38. Have your say - Easy Read

    Report -

    Download an Easy Read version of our 'Have your say' form

  39. 50,000 back mum’s cancer petition

    News -

    A HEARTBROKEN mum who lost her son to a rare form of cancer in 2022 is fighting for ‘increased awareness and funding’ - and almost 50,000 have signed a petition to help reach her goal.

  40. Patients help shape the use of smartphone and wearable data in cardiovascular research study

    News -

    In the first study of its kind, the BHF Data Science Centre worked with members of the public to conduct a new study to help understand how data from smartphones and wearables (such as fitness watches) could be used to improve cardiovascular health.

  41. Baby loss certificates introduced for loss before 24 weeks

    News -

    Sadly, around 1 in 8 known pregnancies will end in miscarriage[i].

  42. Newsletter - January to March 2024

    News -

    Our brand new newsletter is now available.

  43. What is hyperammonaemia?

    News -

    High Ammonia can kill and people are dying because symptoms are often overlooked.

  44. The three reasons why the push to increase the role of pharmacies is being undermined

    Blog -

    William Pett, our Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Research reports that people welcome the launch of Pharmacy First. To harness the potential of community pharmacies, healthcare leaders need to address access barriers.

  45. NHS South Yorkshire and housing partnership tackles asthma symptoms in children

    News -

    NHS South Yorkshire partners with housing provider to improve the living conditions and health of children with asthma.

  46. The Accessible Information Standard - What you can expect from services

    Advice and Information -

    The Accessible Information Standard is mandatory for all organisations that provide National Health Service (NHS) or adult social care. Here’s some key information about the accessible communications you should expect from services.

  47. Top tips to get the most out of your GP appointment

    Advice and Information -

    Do you struggle to speak to your doctor about your medical concerns? You’re not alone. Take a look at our top tips to make the most out of your GP appointment.

  48. What should you expect from home care services?

    Advice and Information -

    Five things you should expect from home care, domiciliary care or help in the home.

  49. Top 10 ways to get the most out of your next dental appointment

    Advice and Information -

    How can I get the most out of my next visit to the dentist? Take a look at our tips to help you prepare for your appointment and make sure you understand your treatment and how much it will cost.