Help decide our health and care priorities for 2026–27

News - 6 February 2026

This vote gives you the chance to tell us which topics matter most to you. By sharing your views, you can help decide what we focus on during 2026–27 and help improve services for people across Gloucestershire.
Two men sitting at a table, talking to each other. One man is wearing a Healthwatch lanyard.

By sharing your views, you can help decide what we focus on during 2026–27 and help improve services for people across Gloucestershire.

Having analysed what people told us in 2025, we have selected four possible topics under the theme of Access to Health and Care services.

Here is a short explanation of each one.

A. Are you being listened to and involved in your care and treatment? 

We have been hearing that people do not always feel listened to by health and care professionals, for example when trying to access the right kind of appointment and during health and care assessments. People report not being treated holistically or their symptoms not being taken seriously, particularly for those with comorbid conditions, people who don’t speak English as their first language, people who may need advocacy support and women’s health. We will gather your experiences and use them to improve access to services and personalised care.

B. How and why people use AI for health information and advice, and people’s attitudes to and experiences of AI use in health and care administration?

A growing number of people are using AI, such as ChatGPT, to access health and care information. AI is also being used increasingly to reduce admin processes e.g. GP booking systems and note taking. As the public, policymakers and the tech industry are driving greater AI use in health and care, we want to understand people’s experiences and perspective on whether AI is improving health education and awareness, access and communication.

C. Hidden waits

In 2025, you told us that health and care referrals were often delayed or lost, leading to delays in diagnosis, care and treatment. People also continue to tell us that communication while waiting was unclear, they are unsure about appointment timelines and they are not always offered provider choice. We will use your experiences to understand how the process is currently working and use your feedback to help shape services.

D. Men’s health and wellbeing services

Following the launch of the first Men’s Health Strategy in 2025, we want to hear from men in Gloucestershire about their health and wellbeing needs, such as health awareness and prevention, mental health, and fatherhood. Their views on services will help improve care and reduce health inequalities and barriers.

What haven't we covered?

If you think there are other areas that we should be focusing on - let us know!

How can I get in touch?

Your voice matters more than ever

This is a key moment to make your independent voice count. The way Local Healthwatch works will change in the future, so it matters more than ever that you speak up about what really matters to you.

By taking part in this, you help decide our priorities based on real experiences, not just service decisions.

Take five minutes to share your experiences

NHS and social care staff are doing everything they can to keep us well during these challenging times, but there might be things that can be improved for you and your loved ones, both in the area you live in and across the country.

Have your say

You might also be interested in