News and reports

The Patients Association is looking to gather patient perspectives on AI regulation. These perspectives will support them in forming their response to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) call for evidence on the regulation of AI in healthcare.

Mencap are encouraging people to join the learning disability register.

As part of the Equality Act 2010 anyone with a disability, impairment or sensory loss has the right to request reasonable
adjustments (the changes a service provider must make to remove or reduce the barriers these people might face). The Accessible Information Standard (AIS) sets out how providers and commissioners of NHS and publicly funded adult social care services should ensure disabled people and people with impairments or sensory loss can access and understand information about NHS and adult social care services. In October 2025 we reported on what people were saying to us about reasonable
adjustments and accessible information in various parts of the NHS; here we take a closer look at GP practices across Surrey.

An opportunity to help shape the development of end of life and bereavement services in the future.

We are pleased to bring you our most recent edition of our public newsletter - keeping you informed of our latest work.

Are you on probation?
Have you been affected by drugs or alcohol?

If your answer is yes to both of these questions – Luminus would like to hear from you.

As part of our Enter and View role, we visited Derby House, a registered care home that supports 6 women who have a learning disability and autism. Ages of residents at the time of our visit were between 40-80. We were shown around by the manager of the home, with input from staff that were on duty that morning. We also met family members of 4 of the people living at Derby House.

We often focus on areas for improvement as we believe this is an important way to bring about positive change, but we’ve also heard some incredible – inherently positive - stories of care, compassion and dedication. This end of year Insight bulletin is dedicated to those.

In the UK, the NHS is a publicly funded healthcare system providing medical care. It is often referred to as being "free at the point of use" which means the care is provided based on what the patient needs, rather than how able they are to pay for it. However, there are usually costs for some areas of care.

We are calling for ongoing public support as the national petition challenging government plans to abolish local Healthwatch services surpasses 10,000 signatures — the threshold that requires a formal government response.

What people tell us about why Surrey’s library independence courses and community centres go unused.

Due to changes in contractual arrangements early in 2025, Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board (ICB) commissioned Healthwatch Surrey to engage local residents and provide Information and signposting realting to the change. We did this in March 2025, and have returned in October 2025 to two venues to ask patients of the practice if they have noticed any changes. This report provides our findings.