Our key projects
Read the Healthwatch Decision Making Policy & Procedure to find out how we decide on our key projects.
Key projects
Alongside our day-to-day work we carry out key projects to find out more about particular issues or services.
Find out what we're working on
Everything we do is guided by what people tell us about their experiences of health and social care. Find out more about our current projects and how you can get involved.
Communication and digital divides
Earlier this year Healthwatch England jointly published new research with The King’s Fund and National Voices, about people’s experiences of NHS admin processes.
The report warns that issues such as letters arriving after appointments and not being kept updated about waiting times can be frustrating, but can also risk some patients not receiving the treatment they need on time. Poor admin also affects NHS staff who may bear the brunt of people’s frustration when patients have been given incorrect information or none at all. The research shows that poor admin drives a perception of NHS waste.
We will reach out to our diverse communities across Dorset to find out more their experiences of a digital divide.
More details to follow.
Urgent and Emergency Care pathways
We will explore Youth Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) in Dorset, their understanding of urgent and emergency care in Dorset, and what NHS communications are missing to reach young people.
More details to follow.
Information for young people
This project will undertaken during the autumn of 2025 with students from Weymouth College. It will investigate how young people look for information about health and social care, and importantly, what sources they trust.
More details to follow.
Barriers to health and social care
This project for 2025-26 will be delivered by engaging with students from Bournemouth to look at the barriers to health and social care for people with English as a second language.
More details to follow.
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