Speaking Up for Better Care - Healthwatch Shropshire Annual Report 2025-26

During a year of significant organisational change, including our transition to Community Resource as our new host organisation, we remained committed to championing the experiences of patients, service users, carers and communities across Shropshire.

 

This year we supported more than 19,000 people to have their say, access information or engage with our work. We heard from 693 residents about their experiences of health and social care and published a range of reports exploring issues including access to medication, young people's mental health support, veterans’ healthcare experiences, and the barriers faced by people experiencing rough sleeping. 

Highlights included:

• Investigating people's experiences of accessing medication following changes to prescription ordering systems, helping to inform future improvements across local health services.
• Speaking to 455 students about where they turn for mental health support, with findings helping to shape discussions around local mental health services for young people.
• Gathering feedback from veterans to better understand the challenges they face when accessing healthcare and support after leaving the Armed Forces
• Listening to members of the homeless community about the barriers they face accessing healthcare when living on the streets.

We continued to reach communities whose voices are often underrepresented, including veterans, people experiencing homelessness, prisoners, people living with spinal injuries, older LGBT+ residents and people affected by dementia, hearing loss and visual impairment. Through outreach, engagement events and partnership working, we ensured more people had the opportunity to influence services that affect their lives.

 

Whether helping people find support, navigate complaints processes or access healthcare services, our team provided trusted information and signposting throughout the year. We also continued to deliver the Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service for local residents.

 

Our dedicated volunteers contributed 184 hours supporting engagement activities, Enter and View visits, PLACE assessments, community outreach and decision-making forums. Their commitment helped us reach more people and strengthen the public voice across health and social care.

 

If you're interested in getting involved do do look at our volunteers page or call us to get in touch.

 

As Healthwatch Shropshire enters a new chapter with Community Resource, we remain focused on protecting an independent public voice, reaching more people across Shropshire and ensuring residents' experiences continue to influence the future of health and care services.

Read the full Annual Report 2025–26 to learn more about the difference local people are making to health and social care in Shropshire.