Healthwatch City of London October Newsletter
Chat from our Chair
Welcome to our October newsletter. As it gets closer to winter, it’s time to start thinking about your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, to keep you and your family safe this winter. Many of you will have already received the text reminding you, so please do book. This year the Covid vaccination is available to a smaller group of people following new government guidelines. Please do find out more about that below and see if you’re eligible.
We also have all the details to our upcoming events, including our event at St Bartholomew’s Hospital with Professor Charles Knight MD FRCP, Chief Executive at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, and David Curran, Director of Nursing who will be speaking about their response to our Enter and View report, updating you on recent recommendations, listening to your concerns and answering any questions you may have.
Our AGM is coming up too, Dame Marie Gabriel, Chair Integrated Care Board (ICB), will be joining to help us better understand the changes that are planned as a result of The Dash Report. Chiefly, we will get insights into the ICB’s plans about how the ICB and those delivering healthcare will be monitoring their own services and making sure they listen to your voice and respond effectively to your concerns. We will be interested to hear how those changes will be made and how that impacts Healthwatch City of London, the ICB and most importantly you. We will also be sharing our successes and projects over the past year and updating you on our future plans. All details, including how to register are down below.
A big thank you to all those who attended our recent sessions on accessing Social Care in the City. These sessions were aimed at helping Healthwatch City of London and the City of London explore how better to make people aware of services and how to access them. The results of the sessions are being reviewed now, and we will update you on next steps and how to get involved when we publish our November Newsletter.
We hope to see you at our upcoming events, if there is anything you want to hear more about, please do tell us.
Gail
Chair, Healthwatch City of London
Staying safe this winter
COVID-19 and flu vaccinations
Should you have the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from the flu.
You can get the FREE NHS flu vaccine if you:
- are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2026)
- have certain long-term health conditions
- are pregnant
- live in a care home
- are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
- live with someone who has a weakened immune system
Should you have the COVID-19 vaccine?
You can get the winter COVID-19 vaccine if you:
- are aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by 31 January 2026)
- are aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
- live in a care home for older adults
Are there other vaccines you should have this winter?
The Pneumococcal and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccines help protect against serious illnesses that are more common during winter, such as pneumonia.
Check your eligibility
- pneumococcal vaccine (if you're aged 65 or over)
- RSV vaccine (if you're pregnant, aged 75 to 79, or turned 80 after 1 September 2024)
How to book your vaccine
If you're eligible for the flu vaccine and are aged 18 years or over, you can book a flu vaccination appointment at a pharmacy online or in the NHS App now. You can also call your GP or pharmacy to book an appointment.
Pharmacies in the City of London
Boots,107 CHEAPSIDE, LONDON, EC2V 6DN
This pharmacy accepts appointments only for for adults aged 18 or over.
Phone: 020 7248 9340
View pharmacy details
Boots, 21 NEW CHANGE PASSAGE, LONDON, EC4M 9AG
This pharmacy accepts appointments only for adults aged 18 or over.
Phone: 020 7248 3635
View pharmacy details
Boots, 80 CANNON STREET, LONDON, EC4N 6AE
This pharmacy accepts appointments only for adults aged 18 or over
Phone: 020 7623 4676
View pharmacy details
Boots, 60 GRACECHURCH STREET, LONDON, EC3V 0HR
This pharmacy accepts appointments only for adults aged 18 or over.
Phone: 020 7623 4768
View pharmacy details
Boots, 171 MOORGATE, LONDON, EC2M 6XQ
This pharmacy accepts appointments only for adults aged 18 or over.
Phone: 020 7920 9347
View pharmacy details
Boots, 11 OCTAGON ARCADE, LIVERPOOL STREET STATION, LONDON, EC2M 2AB
This pharmacy accepts appointments only for adults aged 18 or over.
Phone: 020 7374 0092
View pharmacy details
Portmans Pharmacy, UNIT 5, CHERRY TREE WALK, WHITECROSS STREET, LONDON, EC1Y 8NX
This pharmacy accepts walk ins only for adults aged 18 or over.
Phone: 020 7638 0067
View pharmacy details
Boots, 200 BISHOPSGATE, LONDON, EC2M 4NR
This pharmacy accepts appointments only for adults aged 18 or over.
Phone: 020 7283 9544
View pharmacy details
Boots, 88 ALDGATE HIGH STREET, LONDON, EC3N 1LH
This pharmacy accepts appointments only for adults aged 18 or over.
Phone: 020 7265 0343
View pharmacy details
SAI PHARMACY, 19 STABLE WALK, GOODMAN FIELDS, LONDON, E1 8ZF
This pharmacy accepts appointments only for adults aged 18 or over.
Phone: 020 7488 4970
View pharmacy details
BARBICAN PHARMACY & CLINIC, (previously Chauhan S Pharmacy), 36 GOSWELL ROAD, LONDON, EC1M 7AA
This pharmacy accepts walk-ins, or you can book an appointment, for children aged 2 to 3 years and adults aged 18 or over.
Phone: 020 7253 9691
View pharmacy details
If you're eligible for the winter COVID-19 vaccine, you can book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online or in the NHS App now. You can also call your pharmacy or GP Practice to book your appointment.
Vaccination appointments will take place from 1 October 2025.
From 1 October 2025, you may also be able to get your vaccination at:
- a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site, based in pharmacies
- Your community pharmacy or GP surgery
- your care home (if you live in a care home)
You do not need to wait for an invitation before booking an appointment.
At the Neaman Practice and Goodman’s Field Medical Practice, they will contact you, when you are eligible.
To find your local pharmacy for your vaccination, visit here
Making sure to keep warm
During the colder months, it’s important to keep warm, so you can prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems. Age UK suggests making sure you heat your home to a temperature that you’re comfortable with. This should be at least 18 degrees in rooms you use often as low indoor temperatures can impact your health.
With the cost of living rising, the NHS has recommended simple changes to help keep your and your home warm. Such as reducing draughts, keeping your bedroom windows closed at night, wearing several layers of thinner clothing and ensure you are eating enough and having hot drinks.
Our upcoming events
St Bartholomew’s Hospital and Healthwatch Event
We’re looking forward to seeing as many of you as can join us at St Bartholomew’s hospital next week.
Hosted by Bart’s this event will give you the opportunity to hear from Professor Charles Knight MD FRCP, Chief Executive at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, and David Curran, Director of Nursing. They will be sharing how they have responded to our Enter and View report in 2024 and what changes they have made in the Cardiology Department to give a better patient experience. They will be telling us more about the services provided at the hospital, how they make sure they deliver high quality patient care, listening to your concerns and how they will be responding to recent government announcements.
Join us on Thursday, 9th October, from 11:30am to 1:30pm at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
Register here
Our Annual General Meeting
We are delighted that Dame Marie Gabriel, Chair Integrated Care Board (ICB), will be joining us at our AGM. As we enter a period of change and reorganisation within the NHS following the government announcement of its 10-year plan Marie will be helping us better understand what the changes mean for us and them and what difference we will see. We will be keen to know how the ICB intend to scrutinise healthcare when the recommendations made in the Dash report are implemented late in 2026.
We will also be giving an overview of our successes and projects over the past year, updating you on our plans for the coming year, listening to any concerns and answering questions you may have.
There will also be a chance to meet other attendees beforehand and find out useful information on local services. Stalls from Health and Social Care providers will be there for you to visit and get more information. These will include IMAGO, Age UK City of London, Gloji (City & Hackney stop smoking service) City Advice and more to be confirmed. Join us on Friday, 17th October, at 9.30 for stalls and breakfast pastries with the meeting commencing at 10am to 12pm at St Giles Church Cripplegate.
To register visit here
Join us for our Men’s Health event
We know that men face unique health challenges throughout their lives, being disproportionately affected by a number of health conditions, including most types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type two diabetes. We also know that men don’t access health care as early as they should. That’s why, we will be holding an event targeted at men’s health in November with experts on men's health from across primary and secondary care and mental health. Come to the event to find out more about men’s access to healthcare and the services available, from key organisations and speakers from the Neaman Practice and consultants from Barts Health NHS Trust.
If you think there is a health issue that needs to be addressed at the event, please email us at info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk
World Mental Health Day
It’s World Mental Health day on Friday, 10th October. This year, Mental Health UK have the theme, ‘Good mental health isn’t a constant'. The theme reflects the unique challenges and uncertainties many of us are navigating.
For more information visit Mental Health UK
Mental health services you can access
24-hour Mental Health Crisis Helpline, Call 111 and select option 2.
The service is available 24/7 The helpline is for people of all ages who may have long term psychological issues, or have experienced a sudden crisis, such as bereavement. The helpline will be able to offer confidential expert advice, guidance and referrals to local services.
City and Hackney Walk-in Crisis Cafe, City and Hackney’s crisis services offer immediate help if you are in distress or crisis. They will also follow up with a range of support to help you find new ways to cope with difficulties and avoid future crisis.
The Raybould Centre, City and Hackney Centre for Mental Health, Homerton Row, London E9 6SR Tel: 073 9376 2366
City and Hackney Talking Therapy, their team of psychological professionals can help you find the support that’s right for you. They can offer talking therapies by phone, online or face to face as well as help you access support from other organisations within City & Hackney.
Visit here
Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest provides care and support to anyone experiencing a poor mental health problem.
Visit here
Samaritans is here for anyone who's struggling to cope and who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure. They also focus on preventing crises by giving people ways to cope and the skills to be there for others.
Visit here
Congratulations to City Carers Community
City Carers Community have been shortlisted as a finalist for the Carers UK Community Group award; they are among 5 finalists chosen nationally. The Community Group award is for a local group, providing practical and accessible support to their community of carers.
We wish them good luck for the 16th of October, where they will be attending their award ceremony in the square mile, to find out which community group has won.
Elsewhere in Health and Social Care
Carents Day is coming up on Thursday 9th October. Carents refers to adult children who care for an elderly parent or family member. On Carents Day, Carents.co.uk will be bringing you a full day of free online events designed to give you something back: time, space, and practical tools just for you.
Visit their website here
It's STOPTOBER, quit with the help of GLOJI
Stoptober is a national campaign that encourages people to quit smoking for 28 days in October. Research shows that if you can make it to 28 days smoke-free, you're five times more likely to quit for good.
Gloji Smokefree City & Hackney is the local stop smoking service for adults and children (12+ years) who live, work, study, or have a GP in City of London. They offer 12 weeks of support to help you quit, with your own dedicated stop smoking advisor and easy access to stop smoking medication. You can choose to be supported over the phone or in person.
This October, take the 28-day challenge with GLOJI and get FREE behavioural support, FREE vapes and NRT to stop smoking / cut down, or FREE proven stop smoking medicines such as Varenicline and Cytisine because if you can quit for 28 days, you're five times more likely to quit for good.
For more information, visit here
Join Dragon Café this Wednesday
Join Dragon Café at Shoe Lane Library on Wednesday 8th October for fun and relaxing activities.
Join City Dudes, an exercise, and social group
Introducing City Dudes, a new exercise class and social group for older men who live in the City of London.
Led by an accredited instructor, the class aims to keep older people active and improve strength and balance. Attendees are invited to stay and socialise with refreshments, building social links to reduce isolation and loneliness. Support/signposting is also available from their support worker.
Contact Vicky Harrison (Wed-Fri) by phone (07957 432 098) or by email for more information and to book.
