1. We take your views to Parliament

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    Last week, we travelled to London to join forces with more than 100 fellow local Healthwatch organisations at our annual parliamentary reception.

  2. Your vote determines our priorities

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    All this week we are asking people to get involved in our campaign #YourChoiceOurPriority where we give you the power to choose our priorities for the year.
    Over the 7 days we will be asking you to vote for what you think we should prioritise.

  3. Have you struggled to get a GP appointment? Tell us about it!

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    In the news this weekend, we've heard new figures showing that many people struggle to get an appointment with their GP.

  4. Help shape Urgent Treatment Centres in North Kent

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    Plans are being developed for Urgent Treatment Centres across the UK. The Centres would treat all minor illnesses and injuries for all age groups in one place.

  5. You have chosen our priorities and we have listened

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    Over 7,800 saw our vote and hundreds of you voted, so thank you!

  6. Commissioners respond to our GP report

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    In March we published a report detailing all the feedback we had heard from Kent residents about GP services.

  7. Urgent care in Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley is going to change. Get involved

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    A formal public consultation has been launched this month to decide the location of a new Urgent Treatment Centre in Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley area.

  8. Working with PPG groups

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    This week, we took part in a conference to bring together all the Patient Participation Groups across Kent.

  9. M20 closures!.... There’s no stopping us

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    There was no chance our Helpline team weren't getting to the busy Boughton Monchelsea’s village Community Coffee Morning last Saturday.

  10. State of the Nation by the Care Quality Commission

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    Today the Care Quality Commission have published their State of the Nation report which is their annual assessment of health and social care services across the country.

  11. Have you heard that the Clinical Commissioning Groups are going to merge?

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    Currently in Kent & Medway, we have eight Clinical Commissioning Groups who are responsible for commissioning our health services.
    From April 1st 2020, GPs have voted for all the CCGs to merge into one single Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

  12. Feedback from people with Asthma

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    Today we chatted with people about what it is like to have Asthma and how things could be improved

  13. Talking about End of Life services

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    We recently had the opportunity to chat with a group of Carers about End of Life services in North Kent.

  14. GP Walk In service at Northfleet closes today

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    Today the walk in GP clinic at Northfleet has closed. It’s not new news as the decision was announced some months ago, and is part of plans to create an Urgent Treatment Centre in the area following a public consultation earlier in the year.

  15. Do you live in or near Hextable?

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    Are you a patient at Hextable GP surgery? If so, you are being asked to share your thoughts about the future of Hextable Surgery

  16. Hextable Surgery to become part of Cedars Surgery, Swanley

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    The Hextable Surgery will become a branch of Cedars Surgery, Swanley, on Tuesday 1st September 2020.

  17. Are you registered at New Road GP surgery in Folkestone?

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    The surgery has had to close temporarily after 8 members of staff have tested positive due to Coronavirus.

  18. A vaccine is getting closer

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    The last few days have brought great hope to us all as we've watched the first Kent residents get vaccinated against Coronavirus.

  19. Do you use Orchard surgery in Lydd?

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    The GPs who provide care at Orchard surgery have decided to close the practice from 30th April 2021.

    Are you a patient there? We have the information you need.

  20. Are you a patient at Sheppey Healthcare GP Practice?

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    All patients at Sheppey Healthcare GP practice are being asked to share their thoughts to help inform the future of the practice. Is that you?

  21. Helping people to get registered with a GP

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    Many people come to us because they are struggling to register with a GP near to them. This month we've been able to help two families to get registered.

  22. Getting you answers about the GP eConsult service

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    Many of you have been in touch to share your experience of using the GP eConsult service. We shared your stories with the right decision makers and we've got an update for you.

  23. Primary care work

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    In May, Healthwatch England shared their initial response to the Government's Primary Care recovery plan and what it would mean for you and your loved ones.