Signposting

Do you want to know more about your rights to a service?

Do you need to find out where to ask for support?

This section gives you access to useful information on local and national services, as well as how to complain and advice on obtaining advocacy.  

Health and social care commissioners and providers use national and local statistics and research to planning future services and making decisions on how to spend their budgets.

This page has downloads and links to some of this research and future plans and strategies.

Safe Surgeries in Croydon

Healthwatch Croydon is to gather and represent the opinions of residents advocating for health and social care outcomes. As part of this commitment we would like to share information about the Safe Surgeries initiative in Croydon.

Accessible Healthcare for All: Your Right to Register

In England it is your entitlement to receive care from a General Practitioner (GP). We are dedicated to ensuring that this right is respected without any obstacles. When you visit a Safe Surgery in Croydon here’s what you can expect:

Address Not Required: In Croydon there is no need for you to provide an address when accessing healthcare services. It’s important to highlight that your address is not necessary for receiving care.

Inclusivity Matters: Your nationality or immigration status has no bearing on your ability to access healthcare services in Croydon. There’s no requirement, for immigration documents.

Protection of Your Information: We prioritise data security and privacy. Rest assured that when you seek healthcare services in Croydon your information remains confidential and secure.

Welcoming Everyone:
In collaboration, with Doctors of the World UK, Safe Surgeries in Croydon is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for everyone seeking healthcare services. We firmly believe that discrimination should never have a place in our practices and we are fully committed to providing care without any biases.

We firmly stand against any form of discrimination based on: 

Race
Gender
Gender Identity
Sexual Orientation
Immigration Status
Any other personal characteristic

Healthwatch Croydon takes pride in supporting and promoting the Safe Surgeries program in our community. Our ultimate aim is to ensure that you feel valued and well taken care of when accessing healthcare services.

Your well being is incredibly important to us, we are here to offer you unwavering support throughout your journey.

ICN Networks

There have been many changes in Croydon’s health and social care services over the past three years, part of these changes were the new plans for Integrated Care Networks (ICNs) which essentially help to ensure that services across health and social care disciplines speak to each other and are easier for Croydon residents to navigate. Some of these changes have been facilitated by One Croydon, who are a group of organisations that have come together to ensure that communities are represented for the inclusive commissioning of services

To read more about integrated care white paper in easy read format, click here.

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment

The purpose of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment is to improve the health and wellbeing of the local community and reduce inequalities for all ages. JSNAs assess the current and future health and social care needs of the local community. These are needs that could be met by the local authority, Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), the wider NHS or the voluntary and community sector. This analysis of needs is used to help to determine what actions local authorities, the local NHS and other partners need to take to meet health and social care needs, and to address the wider determinants that impact on health and wellbeing.

The JSNA is the responsibility of the health and wellbeing board. The board is made up of representatives from the Clinical Commissioning Group, the local authority, the health services, other statutory bodies, community and voluntary groups.

Croydon Council’s Public Health department

The role of the public health team is to involve everyone in improving the health and wellbeing, reducing inequalities and increasing life expectancy of all people in Croydon. Find out more about what they do here.

Public Health England Health report for Croydon

Public Health England exist to protect and improve the nation’s health and wellbeing, and reduce health inequalities. They produce reports for every English area. 

Croydon Observatory

The Croydon Observatory provides access to data and information about Croydon.  It is an information sharing, mapping and reporting website that can be used by anyone. Information and data on this website can be used by local government, community and voluntary sector organisations, partnership members, businesses, students and the public.

Find out how to find an NHS Dentist

View more information here>>>

Do You Need to Register?
Unlike with GP surgeries, you don’t need to formally register with a dentist to receive care. While some dental practices may ask you to fill in a registration form for their records, it doesn’t guarantee future access to NHS dental appointments.

Where to Search
You have the flexibility to choose a dentist that suits your convenience. You’re not limited to your nearest or local dentist, as dentists don’t have catchment areas. Consider areas near your work or study location.

Finding a Dentist Online
Our NHS Find a dentist search tool simplifies the process. It lists dental practices in your local area based on your postcode, town, or city. Each listing provides contact details, whether they’re accepting new NHS patients, and the last update date. If information isn’t available, feel free to contact the practice directly.

Need Assistance?
For MPs and their staff seeking more information on services in their area, the Social and General Statistics section of the Commons Library can provide additional details.

Urgent or Emergency Treatment
For urgent dental needs, contact your usual dentist first. If that’s not possible, the NHS 111 service can help you find emergency or out-of-hours treatment. Please note that GPs should not be contacted for dental care.

NHS Dental Charges
NHS dental charges vary based on the treatment provided, ranging from £25.80 for urgent care to £306.80 for a ‘Band 3’ course of treatment. You can find a breakdown on the NHS webpage “Understanding NHS Dental Charges.” Some individuals are entitled to free dental treatment, and details on how to apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS) are available.

Making a Complaint
If you encounter difficulties finding an NHS dental appointment, reach out to your local integrated care board (ICB) responsible for dental services. Complainants can seek support from NHS Complaints Advocates and, if not satisfied with the outcome, contact the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.