1. We take your views to Parliament

    News -

    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

    News -

    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. Healthwatch Kent comments on the CQC rating of East Kent Hospitals Children’s services

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission has announced today that hospital children’s services provided by East Kent Hospitals are rated as inadequate.

  4. Stroke services : a decision is made

    News -

    For many months now, stroke services across Kent & Medway have been reviewed. The decision has now been made.

  5. Have your say about Outpatients in Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley

    News -

    Outpatients services in Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley are set to change as part of a new transformation programme launched by NHS.


  6. Our volunteers make improvements at Darent Valley Hospital

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    Our volunteers in North Kent had a very positive morning at Darent Valley Hospital this month talking to 25 people about their experiences of the Emergency Department.

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

    News -

    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. Healthwatch Kent shortlisted for national award

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    We've been nominated for a national award in recognition of the work we've done to ensure the challenges that people with additional communication needs face when attending a hospital appointment is heard and understood by decision makers.

  9. Healthwatch and Dartford Gravesham, Swanley CCG hit the highstreet

    News -

    To make sure you have your voice heard on the plans to create a new Urgent Treatment Centre in Gravesend or Dartford, we headed out with Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley Clinical Commissioning Group.

  10. We are winners!!!

    News -

    We have been recognised as highly commended in the Championing Diversity & Inclusion category at the 2019 Healthwatch Network Awards last night.

  11. Calling all Parkinson's patients

    News -

    Have you recently been in hospital? Did you receive your Parkinson's medication at the right time? We really want to hear your story.

  12. State of the Nation by the Care Quality Commission

    News -

    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.

  13. Last chance to have your say about Urgent Care in North Kent

    News -

    Time is running out if you want to get your voice heard about changes to Urgent Care services in North Kent.

  14. Stroke patients being heard loud and clear

    News -

    Together with the Stroke Association and Healthwatch Medway, we have set up the Stroke Co-Design Group to ensure the voice of patients and carers is clearly heard during the design of our new stroke services in Kent & Medway.

  15. Nominate your ambulance service hero!

    News -

    South East Coast Ambulance (SECAmb) want you to nominate an ambulance service or NHS 111 hero in a new award to be presented at SECAmb’s annual staff awards.

  16. Stroke patients & carers continue to design the new stroke service

    News -

    Stroke patients and their families were invited to Maidstone Hospital this week to chat with hospital staff about what the new Stroke Unit may look like in the future.

  17. Stroke patients & carers continue to design the new stroke service

    News -

    Stroke patients and their families were invited to Maidstone Hospital this week to chat with hospital staff about what the new Stroke Unit may look like in the future.

  18. Healthwatch Kent comments on the National Review of Maternity Services in East Kent

    News -

    Today a national enquiry has been launched into maternity services in East Kent.
    We have already been in touch with East Kent Hospitals to discuss the review and will be fully involved in the process going forward.

  19. A better 111 service for Kent, Medway and Sussex

    News -

    Last summer the NHS Commissioners in Kent, Medway and Sussex announced that South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) had been awarded a five year contract to provide the new NHS 111 service. The new service is due to start in April this year.

  20. Kent Care Homes & Covid : The Reality

    News -

    Today we are publishing a report detailing feedback from 204 Care Homes across Kent. The report shares what it has been like during COVID-19 and what lessons have been learnt.

  21. Final decision on stroke services

    News -

    A decision has finally been made in the long running review of stroke services across Kent & Medway.
    The Court of Appeal refused an appeal against the judicial review which means plans to create three new hyper acute stroke services can go ahead.

  22. How are our hospitals coping?

    News -

    It's no secret that Kent & Medway's hospitals are under extreme pressure right now due to increasing numbers of Covid patients.

  23. Have you had a stroke recently? We need to hear from you

    News -

    If you, or someone you know, has had a stroke since June 2020 then we'd really like to hear from you. Your story could help improve the stroke service for other people.

  24. If you're D/deaf and use East Kent Hospitals, we can help you to get an interpreter

    News -

    D/deaf patients are now being offered a free card that clearly indicates that they need a British Sign Language interpreter when they have an appointment at East Kent hospitals. Get in touch if you want yours.

  25. Your views helped improve non-emergency patient transport services

    News -

    NHS England has published a new report outlining changes to non-emergency patient transport services (NEPTS) and broader NHS transport support. Take a look at what the changes mean for you and your loved ones.

  26. People living in deprived areas waiting longer for hospital treatment

    News -

    In partnership with the King’s Fund, we are calling for urgent action to improve peoples’ experience of delays to their treatment.

  27. Final decision on Kent's stroke services

    News -

    The Secretary of State has today agreed proposals for three new stroke units to be created for Kent & Medway.

  28. Changes to Cardiology services in West Kent

    News -

    The NHS is considering making changes to cardiology services in West Kent and they need to hear your thoughts.

  29. Join a public meeting to hear about changes to Cardiology in West Kent

    News -

    The NHS is considering plans to change cardiology services in West Kent. Join their public meeting to hear more details and share your thoughts.

  30. Last chance to have your say on changes to heart services in West Kent

    News -

    This week is your last chance to share your thoughts about changes to cardiology services in West Kent.

  31. Plans to tackle NHS backlog : our response

    News -

    In a new report, MPs have today warned that tackling the backlog caused by the pandemic is an "unquantifiable" challenge and have called for a broad national health and care recovery plan to be introduced.

  32. How will the NHS tackle the backlog?

    News -

    With a record six million people currently waiting for hospital treatment in the UK, the NHS has set out its plan to address the backlog that has built up during the Covid-19 pandemic and tackle long waiting lists for care.

  33. Cardiology services in West Kent to be located at Maidstone Hospital

    News -

    A decision has been made to centralise inpatient cardiology services at Maidstone Hospital.

  34. Are NHS waiting times pushing more people to go private?

    News -

    Record NHS waiting times appear to be increasing the number of people paying for private care, according to a new BBC analysis. Read our response.

  35. Your ambulance stories need to be heard

    News -

    Have you been picked up by an ambulance recently, or treated by a paramedic? We need to hear your story.

  36. Primary care work

    News -

    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.