Over the last year, thousands of people have shared their experiences of GP surgeries, dental care, mental health services and social care with Healthwatch Cornwall.
The independent health and social care watchdog’s newly published annual report charts a wide range of activities undertaken in the last twelve months – including three major research publications on GP access, local mental health services and the pressures facing Cornwall’s adult care workforce.
There were 28 Enter and View visits and numerous recorded observations about the growing impact of the cost-of-living crisis and lack of access to NHS dentistry across the community.
Healthwatch Cornwall also runs a collaborative network of Ageing Well, Autism, Carers, Learning Disability and Mental Health Partnership Boards – giving service users and operators the chance to work together on future service developments.
“Against a backdrop of significant change across health and social care, our focus has remained unwavering: listening to people, understanding their experiences, and ensuring their voices influence the decisions, services and support that affect their lives,” said Debbie Gilbert, CEO of Healthwatch Cornwall.
“Our work has extended far beyond gathering feedback. Through our Listening Hubs, Partnership Boards, Enter & View programme, safeguarding contributions, quality assurance activity and system leadership forums, we have provided independent insight, constructive challenge and evidence-based recommendations that have helped inform service improvement – ensuring lived experience remains visible within discussions about strategy, commissioning, quality and future service development.
“This report demonstrates the value of an independent patient voice, not simply as a record of activity, but as evidence of impact, influence and accountability. It reflects how listening to people’s experiences can shape better decisions, stronger services and improved outcomes for our communities.”
Healthwatch Cornwall was solely funded by a government grant of £433k in the 2025/2026 financial year.
This year its top three priorities are reducing health inequalities, exploring accessibility challenges and expanding the Listening Hub network to strengthen engagement with rural, remote and seldom-heard communities.
“I am incredibly proud of our CEO, staff, volunteers and Board members whose commitment, professionalism and passion continue to make a positive difference,” said Board Chair Dr Keith Judkins.
“Together, we remain committed to ensuring that local voices are heard, valued and reflected in decisions that affect communities across Cornwall.”
For more information, visit the website.