Healthwatch Redbridge

29/10/2026

Good news for Redbridge. The Government has confirmed that local Healthwatch will not be abolished.

After 18 months of uncertainty, Healthwatch Redbridge will carry on as your independent voice in health and social care. We’ll keep listening to residents and making sure what you tell us reaches the people who make decisions about local services.

“People need an independent voice in decisions about their health and care, particularly those whose experiences are too often overlooked.” Gita Malhotra, Chair

Thank you to our staff and volunteers, and to Redbridge Council and NHS North East London for their support.

Got something to tell us about local health or care services? Let us know.

Healthwatch Redbridge has welcomed the Government’s confirmation that local Healthwatch organisations will not be abolished. Healthwatch Redbridge will continue to be the borough’s independent voice for people who use health and social care services.

22/10/2026

Did you know you don't need ID, proof of address or immigration papers to register with a GP?

That's NHS policy, and it applies to everyone. But when our volunteer phoned every GP practice in Redbridge as a newly arrived resident, almost half said they couldn't register without documents.

One caller was even told: "You should learn English, you are in an English country."
Most staff our volunteer spoke to were friendly and wanted to help. What's missing is clear, consistent guidance. Our new report sets out what needs to change.

Read it here: https://www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/report/2026-10-22/right-register-gp-what-healthwatch-redbridge-found

If you or someone you know has been turned away by a GP practice, get in touch. We want to hear from you.

Everyone in England has the right to register with a GP, with no need for proof of address, ID or immigration status. Healthwatch Redbridge tested whether that right holds up in practice across all 41 GP practices in the borough. Almost half told a caller they could not register without documents.

12/10/2026

Do you use adult social care services in Redbridge, or care for someone who does? Redbridge Council wants to hear from you.

Shape the Future of Adult Services
Wednesday 28 October, 11.30am to 1.30pm
Frenford Youth Centre, The Drive, Ilford IG1 3PS

It’s a chance to tell the council what’s working, what isn’t and what would make a difference. What people say will feed into how adult services in the borough are planned and commissioned. Local organisations are welcome too, and refreshments will be provided.

For more information, contact Abbas Mirza on 07884 384 115 or [email protected]

We know from talking to local people how much it matters to be listened to when services are being shaped. If you can make it, please go along.

12/10/2026

If you or someone close to you is affected by cancer, WellFest is a free day of support, information and gentle activity at Redbridge Central Library.

Tuesday 20 October, 10am to 3.30pm
Redbridge Central Library, Clements Road, Ilford IG1 1EA

It’s open to people living with or beyond cancer, people currently having treatment, and families and carers. The day includes:

- a talk from GP and author Philippa Kaye about her own experience of cancer
-seated yoga and sound bathing
- seated yoga and sound bathing
- information stalls from local services, including Saint Francis Hospice

Everything is free. You book the sessions you’d like to attend here:

Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure is a registered charity and as a non-profit organisation any surplus we make will be reinvested for community benefit, to improve the quality of facilities and services offered to you.

12/10/2026

Got questions about perimenopause or menopause? There’s a free session this Wednesday in Ilford with registered nutritionist Nitu Pasricha.

Understanding Menopause
Wednesday 14 October, 11am to 12.30pm
Redbridge Central Library, Clements Road, Ilford IG1 1EA

It covers the common changes, the health risks that come with them (heart health, bones, type 2 diabetes) and the options available, from nutrition and lifestyle to HRT. It’s a relaxed, supportive space to ask questions and be heard.

Free, but places are limited, so book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/understanding-menopause-tickets-2002463813170

Earlier this year, women across Redbridge told us about their experiences of menopause. You can read what they said here: https://www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/report/2026-04-20/2026-report-menopause-what-women-redbridge-told-us-and-why-it-matters

Learn more about menopause and gain practical tips to help you understand and manage the changes with confidence.

08/10/2026

We had a lovely afternoon at the annual Community Health Day at South Woodford Health Centre last month. There were health checks, chair exercise, and plenty of local organisations on hand to chat.

It was great to see the Deputy Mayor of Redbridge, Cllr Syeda Lovely Choudhury, who stopped by our stall to hear about our new Women's Health Guide.

Thank you to everyone who came to say hello and share their experiences of local health and care.

Missed us? You can always tell us what's working and what isn't at www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk

08/10/2026

From this autumn, local pharmacies will be able to treat five more everyday conditions under the NHS Pharmacy First scheme: migraine, hay fever in children, outer ear infections, acne, and mild skin infections including scabies.

That's on top of the seven they already treat, including sore throats, sinusitis, earache and UTIs. No GP appointment needed. Not every pharmacy will offer the new conditions straight away, so check with yours first.

Find out more here:

From this autumn, people will be able to get treatment for five more common conditions at their local pharmacy, without needing a GP appointment first. The new conditions are migraine, hay fever in children, outer ear infections, acne, and mild skin infections including scabies.

08/10/2026

October is Menopause Awareness Month, and there's a free session in Ilford next week for anyone who wants to understand what's happening and why.

Understanding Menopause is a friendly, evidence-based session for women to ask questions, talk openly and get reliable information. It's led by Nitu Pasricha, a Registered Nutritionist in Public Health, and will cover:
• common changes during perimenopause and menopause
• health risks linked to menopause, including type 2 diabetes, heart health and bone and muscle health
• your options, from nutrition and lifestyle to HRT and other treatments

Wednesday 14 October, 11am to 12.30pm Redbridge Central Library, Clements Road, Ilford IG1 1EA

It's free, but places are limited and you need to book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/understanding-menopause-tickets-2002463813170

Please share with anyone you think would find it useful.

Learn more about menopause and gain practical tips to help you understand and manage the changes with confidence.

31/08/2026

Winter is when it's hardest to get seen, and a lot of us don't realise how much our local pharmacy can actually do.

Through NHS Pharmacy First, a pharmacist can assess and treat seven common conditions without you needing a GP appointment — sore throats, sinusitis, earache in children, shingles, UTIs and more. No appointment needed, just walk in. The consultation is free.

Many pharmacies across Redbridge also offer flu and COVID vaccinations, blood pressure checks and contraception.

We've put together a short guide on what your pharmacy can help with this winter, and where to go first: https://www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/advice-and-information/2026-08-26/your-local-pharmacy-winter

If you use your local pharmacy this winter, tell us how it went. Your experiences help us understand what's working locally and what needs to improve.

Winter is the busiest time of year for health services in Redbridge, and it is also when it can feel hardest to get seen. Your local pharmacy can often help sooner than you might expect, and for more than you might expect.

26/08/2026

Redbridge Forum's Walk and Talk group starts on Monday 7 September — for people with a learning disability, autistic people, and their family carers.

Five relaxed sessions between September and October, taking in The O2, Valentines Park, Camden, Barking Park and All Hallows by the Tower. A chance to get outdoors, explore somewhere different and meet other families. Come to one or come to all of them.

Full dates and meeting points: https://www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/event/2026-09-01/walk-and-talk-group-people-learning-disability-autistic-people-and-their-family

To book, email Naseem at [email protected] or call 07356 244447.