January 2026 Newsletter
Chat from our Chair
Welcome to our January newsletter, I sincerely hope you all had a good Christmas and I wish you all a Happy New Year.
The year has started with a very cold snap, we encourage you to stay warm and safe and to check on neighbours, especially elderly people to make sure they are ok. We’ve included some advice below with tips on how to stay well.
2026 will be a year of change for us at Healthwatch City of London, as you know the government announced the closure of local Healthwatch last year, but we are determined to remain as your health and social care champion and will be working with the City of London Corporation and NEL Integrated Care Board to work out a way forward. We’d like your views on this, so please do take the time to complete our short survey below.
We’re kicking off the year with two exciting online events, so you can join us from the comfort of your own homes. We have some really interesting speakers covering many topics from safeguarding to mental health to wheelchair services. And in February we are holding our men’s health event at St Bartholomew’s hospital. You can read about all of these events below.
We are also embarking on a project, as part of our Enter and View programme, to look at the physiotherapy service provided at St Leonards hospital. We’re asking for your experience of the service which we will use to inform our visit, which will take place in the next couple of months.
I look forward to seeing you all soon at one of our events, or drop us a line at any time to info@healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk
Have your say on our future
Last year, the government confirmed through the Dash report that Healthwatch England and the wider Healthwatch network will cease to exist in the future. For many, this news raised understandable concerns about what it means for the independent voice of patients and the public in health and care. It marked the end of a national framework that, for over a decade, has helped bring people’s voices into decision-making.
We know both nationally and locally this has raised concerns, but we want to reassure you that Healthwatch City of London is still here for you.
While the national structure may be changing, our purpose remains the same: to champion the voices of local people and ensure they shape health and care decisions in the City of London.
Since Healthwatch City of London began in 2019, we’ve supported hundreds of residents, provided information & guidance, and carried out research that highlights real experiences across the City and neighbouring boroughs.
As we move into a new chapter, we’ll be re-branding, and we want your help to shape what comes next. Please take a moment to tell us how you see us, what you value, and how we can be more visible and useful to your community.
Our Enter and View at St Leonard’s Physiotherapy Department
As part of our Enter and View programme, we will be visiting the physiotherapy department at St Leonard’s Hospital, the service receives referrals from local GP practices, including the Neaman and Goodman’s Fields Medical Practices. Our visit is based on feedback we have received from residents in the City who have accessed the service. If you’ve also recently used these services, we want to hear from you, as your feedback will help us to influence the way the service is delivered.
Please complete our survey https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/stleonardsphysio/
Stay warm and well
The start of 2026 has seen some very cold and icy conditions. The cold weather is set to stay until next week with the Met Office issuing an Amber warning across our area, so it’s important to keep warm, so you can prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems.
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.
Visit the NHS Keep Warm, Keep Well site: Winter vaccinations and winter health - NHS
There are many Warm Spaces you can access in the City, including libraries and the community centres.
You can find spaces on this website https://www.warmwelcome.uk/#find-a-space
Please also see below advice from the UK Health Security Agency on keeping warm and well.
Right Care, Right Person
The City of London Police have recently adopted the Right Care, Right Person approach, which assesses if the police are the most appropriate service to respond.
While some mental health related incidents may need the police, other services may be more appropriate. Health and social care staff have the experience and training to provide the relevant physical and mental health support.
The aim of the approach is:
- to get the person or people involved the right help as soon as possible
- to prevent further distress to the person
- to allow the police to focus resources on preventing crime, protecting life and property and keeping public order
You can hear more about this approach in our Public Board meeting in January, for details of how to join, read below.
Our upcoming events
Public Board Meeting with City and Hackney Safeguarding Adults Board New Independent Chair and City of London Police
Join us for our first Public Board meeting of the year with Claire Solley, the new Independent Chair City and Hackney Safeguarding Adults Board (CHSAB) who will be talking us through the new CHSAB Strategy for 2025/28, and by James Knock, from the Adult Intervention & Mental Health Team at the City of London Police who will outline the Right Care Right Person initiative. We’ll also be updating you on our plans for the New Year. The meeting will be held online on Friday 16th January from 2pm – 4pm. To join us book via Eventbrite
Patient Panel on Adult Community Rehabilitation and Wheelchair Services
As part of our upcoming project on access to physiotherapy at St Leonards, we have invited the Adult Community Rehabilitation Team & Wheelchair Services team, Donna Underwood and Anna Young, Heads of Service, to join us to talk about the wide ranging services they provide which assist adult rehabilitation alongside physiotherapy. You will find out how, as City residents, you can access the services and ask any questions you may have.
To join us book via Eventbrite
Join us for our Men’s Health event
We will be holding our men’s health event in February with experts on men's health from across primary and secondary care and mental health.
Come to our event on Tuesday, 3rd February from 12pm to 2pm at St Bartholomew’s Hospital to find out more about men’s access to healthcare and the services available, from key organisations and speakers from the Neaman Practice, including Partner, Dr Chor, and Dr Samantha Strumeier the Lead Clinical Nurse for Prostate, Testes and Bladder Cancer from Barts Health NHS Trust. There will also be a wide range of stallholders from local service provider including from City Dudes and the Proper Blokes Club who both provide exercise and support groups for Men.
You can register for the event via Eventbrite
More details will be announced soon. For updates on all of our events, visit our website: www.healthwatchcityoflondon.org.uk/events
