News – 30 June 2026
We’re pleased to share our 2025–26 Annual Report, highlighting a year where listening to Rutland residents has driven real change.
With NHS reforms underway and national proposals to abolish Healthwatch, independent patient voice has never mattered more. As our Chair said, “the honesty of those who shared their experiences with us has shaped our work.”
This year we supported over 1,457 people and heard concerns about primary care, women’s health, same‑day services and system changes. Our work helped secure the new Minor Illness and Injury service in Oakham, improved emergency information for deaf and deafblind residents, and delivered major Adult Social Care improvements for self‑funders.
Our work has delivered tangible results. After four years of working to safeguard urgent care in Oakham, a new combined Minor Illness and Injury service opened on 1 April 2026 – offering walk‑in access, bookable appointments and enhanced X‑ray provision.
Through our work on self-funders’ experiences of organising and paying for their own social care in the previous year, people told us, “I don’t know what I don’t know,” and their experiences led directly to major improvements this year by Rutland County Council – from redesigned Adult Social Care webpages to clearer financial information, new navigation support and practical tools like “Waiting Well” packs.
We also helped secure clearer emergency information for deaf and deafblind residents, ensuring local guidance now meets the Accessible Information Standard.
Looking ahead, we will continue to reach into every part of our community. Our priorities for this year include hearing about experiences of Pharmacy First, understanding awareness of the importance and use of community defibrillators and their accessibility across Rutland and exploring patient journeys from acute discharge to community step‑down care in Rutland.