News and reports

New research from Healthwatch Luton reveals persistent barriers to NHS dental care — aligning with national findings from Healthwatch England, which show a growing reliance on urgent dental services due to lack of access to routine appointments.

This page provides information and links to local health and care services, and organisations that can support your health and wellbeing. It is designed to help you find the right service and understand the support available.

Interpreting and translation services are an essential provision in diverse communities, where many individuals may not speak English or may experience communication difficulties related to disability.
These services help remove language barriers that can prevent people from accessing health, social care and public services. By enabling clear and accurate communication, interpreting and translation support promotes equality, safeguards individuals' rights, reduced the risk of misunderstanding and ensures that everyone can make informed decisions about their care and wellbeing.

Our information videos are here to help you to understand health and social care services, your rights and the support available locally, so you can make informed choices.

Social care should support you to live your life with dignity, independence and choice. Whether you receive care at home or in another setting, you have the right to be involved in decisions about your care and to understand what support you can expect.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has set out guidance to help people understand what good social care looks like. This page explains the key things you should expect from social care services and ow professionals should work with you to plan and delver your care.

We know the rising living costs are putting pressure on many individuals and families.
Healthwatch Luton is here to help by providing clear information and signposting local support services during this challenging time.

On this page you will find details of services, advice and resources available in Luton to help with the cost of living.

Acronyms, formed from the first letters of a group of word, such as NHS for National Health Service, are widely used across health and social care. Acronyms and specialist terms used in the NHS can sometime feel confusing if you're not familiar with them. To make things easier, our acronym buster guides explain the most commonly used NHS and social care abbreviations in simple, everyday language. Helping patients, carers and families understand the terminology they may come across. This clarity matters because it enables people to engage more confidently and effectively in their care.

Looking for Mental Health Support?
Your mental Health is as important as your physical health and help is available. Whether you are seeking information for yourself or someone else, this page brings together local services, support options and guidance to help you find the right help when you need it.

If you are concerned that you are developing a mental health problem you should seek the advice and support of your GP as a matter of priority. If you are in distress and need immediate help and are unable to see a GP, you should call 111 or visit your local A&E.

Our Enter and View program gets to the heart of people's experience of local health and social care services, assessing them from the patient perspective. It is one of our statutory services. Through the programme we help providers across a range of health and social care services identify changes that could improve patients' experiences of those services.

Looking for Dental Care?

Finding an NHS dentist can sometimes be challenging, especially with growing demand for both routine and urgent dental care. This page provides clear information on how NHS dental care access works, what do if you need urgent care, and where to find a dentist accepting new patients.

Women's Health needs can change at every stage of life, and many women tell us they are unsure where to find clear, accessible support.
We've brought together information on key topics - periods, fertility, mental health and menopause, to help you make informed decisions and know what services are available in our community.

You can also read our Women's Health Reports, where we share what local women have told us about their experiences and the changes they want to see.

Winter can be a difficult time for many people.
Whether you need support for your physical or mental health, or want to know what options are there to support you during the cost of living crisis, there are many services available to help you.