News and reports

This project sought to understand the barriers facing Surrey black and Asian communities specifically when accessing sight tests, and what could realistically be done locally to improve access.

As part of our community engagement in quarter 3, we explored awareness and barriers to uptake of NHS Health Checks across Surrey.

Although most people have the NHS App, we found that less people are actually using it. Could more be done to better inform both current and potential new users?

Our latest Insight bulletin highlights the key themes we’ve been hearing about recently from local people. We also highlight our latest news and opportunities to get involved.

This report and accompanying video highlight our major impacts throughout our third quarter of 2025/26 (October to December 2025).

In October 2025 we reported on what people were saying to us about reasonable adjustments and accessible information in various parts of the NHS; here we take a closer look at GP practices across Surrey.

In the past 8 months 55 Surrey residents have talked to us about requesting and trying to access reasonable adjustments and accessible information. They have shared their experiences via our Helpdesk and/ or at community engagement events.

As part of our Enter and View role, we visited Derby House, a registered care home that supports 6 women who have a learning disability and autism.

We often focus on areas for improvement as we believe this is an important way to bring about positive change, but we’ve also heard some incredible – inherently positive - stories of care, compassion and dedication. This end of year Insight bulletin is dedicated to those.

What people tell us about why Surrey’s library independence courses and community centres go unused.

Due to changes in contractual arrangements early in 2025, Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board (ICB) commissioned Healthwatch Surrey to engage local residents and provide Information and signposting relating to the change. We did this in March 2025, and have returned in October 2025 to two venues to ask patients of the practice if they have noticed any changes.

As part of our work on access to primary care we wanted to speak to Surrey residents with low vision about their experiences of specialist eye care services, as well as the information and support they receive between appointments and following discharge.