News and reports

This Impact Review Report presents the outcomes and influence of Healthwatch Cornwall’s Preliminary Cost of Living Report (published 30 September 2024), which captured the real-life experiences of over 400 people across the county.

These “400 Voices of Cornwall” shed light on the growing crisis of healthcare access amid rising living costs. From dental care to GP access, medication affordability to travel barriers, the evidence highlights a system under pressure—and a population struggling to engage with the services it needs.

This report outlines the outcomes and improvements arising from Healthwatch Cornwall’s engagement with carers and individuals affected by dementia and memory loss. The findings, based on the ‘Hear Our Voice’ research, aim to enhance the quality of services and support available for dementia care across Cornwall.

In 2024–2025 Healthwatch Cornwall turned public frustration with NHS dental services across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly into evidence, and evidence into action — leading to tangible, measurable improvements in services.

Through gathering over 1,185 real experiences from residents — families, carers, young people, older adults, and rural communities — Healthwatch Cornwall produced the landmark report: “The Dental Crisis in Cornwall: Your Questions Answered.”

This report was formally cited as critical evidence by the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (ICB) and directly informed the 2024–2026 Dental Strategy.

This report demonstrates how Healthwatch Cornwall’s independent engagement with individuals subject to adult safeguarding has directly influenced systemic change across Cornwall. Through in-depth conversations with 29 participants, we explored whether people felt heard, safe, and supported — and what outcomes mattered most to them.

Our findings, rooted in the Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP) framework, not only highlighted gaps in communication, advocacy, and inter-agency coordination — they led to formal recommendations that have since been adopted by the Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) and partners.

These recommendations are now actively shaping local safeguarding policy, service delivery, and public awareness work. The role of Healthwatch Cornwall has been critical in ensuring that real experiences drive meaningful, person-centred change.

This report outlines the measurable impact of Healthwatch Cornwall’s Enter & View programme in 2023-2024. The programme not only brought immediate, tangible improvements to primary care services but also contributed directly to influencing wider system change.

Through visits to 28 primary care practices (GP surgeries, Dentists, Opticians, Pharmacists) we gathered the views and experiences of 168 patients and 50 staff members.

Those lived experiences were translated into evidence-based recommendations, several of which were promptly implemented by providers.

The ongoing pandemic and lockdown restrictions have created a complex and challenging environment for people to navigate, with mental health and wellbeing continuing to be impacted considerably as a result.