About our visits
We use the information people tell us about services to decide which local services to visit.
We can do either an announced visit (where the provider knows we are coming) or an unannounced visit (where the provider is given no advanced warning).
Most of our enter and view visits are announced. We only do unannounced visits if we feel it is the only way to ensure people are receiving the best care possible.
After the visit
After our visit we will write and publish a report detailing our findings. We share this report with the people who make the decisions about the service and work with the service providers to help them make positive changes based on our recommendations.
We normally publish our report for the public to read about 8 weeks after a visit.
Our Enter and View visits were put on hold in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, however we are delighted that we have now got them back up and running again.
Our Enter and View policy
Our enter and view work is done using legal powers given to us by the act of Parliament that set up Healthwatch.
We have a duty to write reports and make recommendations to improve services.
Meet our Enter and View team
Our enter and view staff and volunteers have a standard DBS check and are trained to a high standard.
They will wear an official badge to identify themselves when visiting a service on our behalf.
Enter and View reports
Enter and View Report: Howlish Hall
Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Howlish Hall care home in Bishop Auckland.
Report
Enter and View Report: Devonshire House
Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Devonshire House care home in Bishop Auckland.
Report
Enter and View Report: Murton Medical Group
Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Murton Medical Group in Seaham.
Report