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The Latest Breaking News from Healthwatch England

Brits Are Pulling Out Their Own Teeth for Lack of Urgent Dental Care Says Patient Watchdog

Healthwatch England reveals Brits resorting to pulling out own teeth as NHS urgent dental access falters. With fewer regular check-ups and growing inequalities, government pledges extra appointments but faces calls for deeper reforms.

International Business Times UK

People are pulling their own teeth out due to lack of urgent NHS dental care

In September 2025, 10 per cent fewer adults had seen an NHS dentist in the past 24 months compared to 2019

The Independent UK

People pulling own teeth due to lack of urgent NHS dental care in England, watchdog finds

Emergency help should be available, but some being forced to travel 100 miles or go private, says Healthwatch England

The Guardian - UK

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

Thousands of patients see NHS hospital referrals lost in ‘black hole’

One retired NHS worker said he felt ‘stuck in limbo’ to see a specialist for his back and hip pains

The Independent UK

Many seek health advice from AI chatbots and social media – poll

Experts said the NHS must ‘become more visible’ in the digital spaces people use daily.

The Independent UK

Most men ‘would attend a prostate cancer screening programme’ – poll

Experts are currently debating whether a screening programme should be introduced.

The Independent UK

Women ‘need to be taken seriously’ when they look for GP help – charity

It comes as a poll suggests women are more likely to report that their GP has been ‘dismissive’.

Evening Standard

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Call for action as half claim they have not been invited for mid-life health MOT

Adults aged 40-74 without other health conditions should be invited for the check every five years.

The Independent UK

Gen X issued health warning after millions miss out on vital ‘mid-life MOT’

A third of UK adults were not aware of the NHS mid-life MOT

The Independent UK

Demise of Healthwatch England will do NHS patients a disservice

Letter: Sharon Grant says the agency, which advocates for patients, will go the same way as previous community engagement bodies, to the detriment of health service users

The Guardian - UK

No need for ‘ventriloquists’ to give NHS patients a voice – Streeting

Wes Streeting suggested the patient safety landscape is ‘cluttered’, with NHS leaders receiving ‘competing and contradictory instructions’.

The Independent UK

Risk to patient health from drug shortages is ‘distressing new normal’

Medicine shortages are causing unprecedented issues for patients, Community Pharmacy England said.

Evening Standard

One in four patients in England find errors in medical records, watchdog says

Healthwatch England says mistakes mean some patients are refused care or given drugs they do not need

The Guardian - UK

Medical record errors ‘putting patients at risk’ – experts

A new poll examined the accuracy of patient records.

The Independent UK

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The Independent UK

Call for ‘trauma cards’ to help NHS patients

Healthwatch England said that the cards can help discreetly alert health workers that they are caring for someone who has experienced trauma.

Evening Standard

NHS admin issues putting patients off seeking care, research finds

A survey found 20% of 1,622 patients questioned received a letter for an appointment after it was supposed to take place.

The Guardian - UK

Quarter of people in England had poor NHS care in past year, report says

Survey for patient watchdog finds over half of those who made complaint were not satisfied with process or outcome

Evening Standard

Low confidence in NHS complaints process ‘stops patients flagging poor care’

A survey showed more than half of those who made a complaint to an NHS organisation were not satisfied with the process or outcome.

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The Independent UK

Concern as some NHS dentists will ‘accept children only if parents go private’

It comes as a patient champion said there is widespread confusion about registration for NHS dentistry.

Evening Standard

Parents pressured to go private as children struggle to see NHS dentist – report

Experts called for ‘fundamental changes to NHS dentistry’.

The Guardian - UK

Pharmacy closures in England threaten plan to use them instead of GPs for some care

Closure of hundreds of outlets hitting rural areas, older people and deprived communities hardest, according to Healthwatch England

The Independent UK

Patients who ask for doctors are being seen by physician associates instead – what’s the difference?

What is a physician associate?

The Independent UK

One in five patients don’t know the difference between doctors and physician associates, watchdog warns

Charities call for NHS to make information on physician associates more accessible to patients

The Guardian - UK

Patients in England want right to see GPs with 24 hours enshrined in NHS

Royal College of GPs says constitution guarantee would just pile on pressure given loss of 1,000 practices in past 10 years

Evening Standard

Plans to cut Royal Mail deliveries ‘could worsen patient safety risks’

The chief executives of Healthwatch England, National Voices, The Patients Association and NHS Providers have ‘raised direct concerns’.

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