Healthwatch Redbridge

We've just published our NHS App Survey Report, and the findings are vitally important for anyone who cares about fair access to health services in Redbridge.

We spoke to 152 local residents about how they use the NHS App, what barriers they face, and whether they'd be comfortable using it to access care and leave feedback. Here's what stood out:

- Only 52% of people actively use the app, despite 72% having it installed
- Among those aged 80+, just 11% would feel confident using it
- The most common reason for not using it? A preference for speaking to a real person
- Over a third wouldn't use it to give feedback, mainly because they don't trust it will make a difference

With the Government planning to make the NHS App the main front door to NHS services by 2028, these findings matter, especially in a borough like Redbridge, where an estimated 35% of residents are digitally excluded and the app is only available in English.

Read the full report here:

Is the NHS App working for Redbridge residents? Here's what we found | Healthwatch Redbridge The Government wants the NHS App to become the main way people access health services by 2028. That's a significant shift, and for a borough like Redbridge, it raises some important questions. We wanted to understand what that shift would actually mean for local people. So between November 2025 and....

Important update for anyone who needs mental health support.

You can now text NHS 111's mental health crisis line, not just call it.

📱 Text 07860 009642 for urgent mental health support. A trained NHS 111 team member will respond as soon as they can, offer support and point you towards the right services.

This matters - for some people, saying the words out loud is too hard, or you might not want to be overheard. Now there's another way to reach help.

If you or someone you know might need this, please save the number - and share this post so others know it's there.

A new report is out from a project we funded right here in Redbridge, and it's well worth a read.

Redbridge Carers Support Service ran the Migrant Community Breakfast Club over six months, reaching unpaid carers in migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking communities who might never otherwise have been identified or supported.

Many of these carers were dealing with language barriers, uncertain immigration status, temporary housing and the lasting effects of trauma, all while quietly caring for family members every day.

Over the course of the project, 18 hidden carers were identified and connected with real, practical support: housing help, financial assistance, counselling, and a welcoming space to build confidence and connections.

One carer said RCSS was the only service that had ever given her a proper appointment and actually worked with her. That says a lot about the gaps that still exist, and about what's possible when services take the time to reach people properly.

This is the third Community Cash Fund project we've supported over the past year. Read the full report at the link below:

Supporting Hidden Carers in Migrant Communities - RCSS Report Findings | Healthwatch Redbridge A new report funded by Healthwatch Redbridge has highlighted the challenges faced by unpaid carers in migrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking communities - and the difference that targeted, relationship-based support can make.

Today we're publishing our new report on women's experiences of perimenopause and menopause in Redbridge, and we want as many people as possible to read it.

We spoke to 193 women through a survey and had in-depth conversations with 30 more. What they told us was clear: too many women in our borough are reaching this stage of life without enough information, finding it hard to get the right support through their GP, and feeling like their symptoms aren't being taken seriously.

For some women, particularly those from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority communities, and women with disabilities, those barriers are even higher.

This isn't just a health issue. Nearly 1 in 5 women we heard from had taken time off work because of menopause symptoms. Others described reduced confidence, missed promotions and, in some cases, early retirement.

The national conversation around menopause is growing, and we're glad it is. But real change has to happen locally too. This report is our contribution to making that happen in Redbridge.

If you've had experiences of menopause care - good or not so good - we'd love to hear from you. And if you know someone who might find this useful, please share.

2026 Report into Menopause: What women in Redbridge told us and why it matters | Healthwatch Redbridge Today we are publishing our new report on women's experiences of perimenopause and menopause in Redbridge. It is the third and final phase of our Women's Health Project, which has spent the past two years listening to local women about some of the most important and often overlooked aspects of their...

Saint Francis Hospice has officially opened its brand new, fully refurbished ward, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting cutting the ribbon.

It has been a big transformation, with updated facilities, new therapy spaces, a quiet room for families, and a much improved environment for patients, loved ones, and staff.

We work closely with Saint Francis Hospice here at Healthwatch Redbridge and know how much this hospice means to so many people in our community. This upgrade is such welcome news.

If you or someone you know might benefit from the support Saint Francis Hospice offers, you can find out more here:

Saint Francis Hospice opens its newly upgraded ward | Healthwatch Redbridge Saint Francis Hospice has officially opened its newly refurbished ward, with the ribbon cut by Health Secretary Wes Streeting on his third visit to the hospice since the project began.

We wanted to share something that really stood out from a project we funded recently 💙

The Togetherness Café, run by the brilliant team at Blossom Group ASA CIC, brought together over 200 people from Redbridge's South Asian, African, and Afro-Caribbean communities over 10 weeks - offering a friendly, welcoming space and real, practical help accessing health services.

Support was offered in Urdu, Punjabi, Arabic, and Somali, and covered everything from registering with a GP to understanding NHS letters and completing forms. Many of the people who came along told us they'd never had access to this kind of support before.

At the end of the 10 weeks? 100% of participants wanted it to continue. We think that says it all.

A huge thank you to Shahid Mahmood and everyone at Blossom Group for their care and dedication to this community.

Find out more:

Listening to seldom-heard voices: the Togetherness Café in Redbridge | Healthwatch Redbridge What happens when you create a truly safe, culturally competent space and simply ask people what they need? The answer, it turns out, is that people show up — and keep coming back. The Togetherness Café, delivered by Blossom Group ASA CIC with support from Healthwatch Redbridge's Community Cash F...

📱 BHRUT appointment reminders have a new look.

If you have an upcoming appointment, your reminder will now come via a secure digital link from DrDoctor.

No more digging through the recycling for that lost letter! You can now view your appointment, download letters, and check clinic details right on your phone.

🔒 Is it secure? Yes! You'll just need your name, DOB, and postcode to log in.
✉️ Prefer paper? Don't worry. If you don't click the link within 3 days, a paper letter will be posted to you automatically.

Have you used the new system yet? Let us know how you found it in the comments! 👇

Read more on our website: https://www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/news/2026-03-23/bhrut-appointment-reminders-everything-you-need-know-about-new-look

📢 Health Awareness: Knowing the signs of Meningococcal Disease

Following news of a small number of cases of invasive meningococcal disease in Kent, Healthwatch Redbridge is sharing official guidance to help our local community stay informed.

While there is no cause for alarm in Redbridge, meningitis and septicaemia move quickly, and knowing the symptoms can save lives.

🚩 Key symptoms to watch for:

High fever with cold hands and feet

Stiff neck and severe headache

Sensitivity to light

A rash that does not fade under a glass

💉 Prevention: Please ensure your family’s vaccinations are up to date. If you aren't sure, contact your GP surgery to check.

🚑 In an emergency, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

Read more about the symptoms and how to protect yourself on the UKHSA blog:
🔗 https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/10/31/what-is-meningitis-symptoms-risks-and-how-to-protect-yourself/

What is meningitis? Symptoms, risks and how to protect yourself – UK Health Security Agency Meningitis is a serious condition where the protective layers (meninges) around the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. It has many causes, such as different germs, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In the UK, most cases are due to bacteria

The DEEP (Dental Patient Encounters in General Medical Practice) research study team at Mary University of London are working with Social Action For Health to explore why people contact GPs for dental problems rather than dentists.

This is a paid opportunity to use your lived experiences to help design health services that make it easier for people to get the right treatment, at the right time and at the right place to improve their health and well-being.

They want to hear from you if:
- You are aged over 18 and live in North East London
- You or your child went to a GP in the past five years when you had a dental problem
(e.g., toothache, abscess, or a mouth or gum swelling)
- You are happy to talk about your experiences with other people

The team are particularly keen to hear from people who do not regularly use health
services.

What’s involved?
You will join a one-to 1½ hour focus group in Redbridge to talk about your feelings, experiences, and decision-making.

Get Involved?
Email: [email protected] or get in touch on 07944 966 141.

🍳 Love cooking? Turn it into a career!

The Adanna Women’s Support Group is running a Cooking Job Club to help Redbridge residents enter the hospitality and catering sector.

Gain practical skills in food hygiene, nutrition, and ethnic dish preparation, while learning how to start your own business or find local job opportunities.

📍 Cranbrook Baptist Church, Ilford
⏰ 10 am – 12 pm | 3-week programme
🎟️ Free for Redbridge residents!

Register your interest here: https://www.healthwatchredbridge.co.uk/event/2026-03-13/turn-your-passion-food-career-cooking-job-club

Turn Your Passion for Food into a Career: Cooking Job Club | Healthwatch Redbridge About this event Are you interested in a career in hospitality or thinking about starting your own catering business? The Adanna Women’s Support Group is offering a practical Cooking Job Club for Redbridge residents. This 3-week programme provides hands-on insights into the hospitality sector, cov...