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. Do you know someone who lives in Folkestone & has used crisis mental health services?

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    If you, or someone you know, has used the crisis mental health service then we want to hear from you.

  4. 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!

  5. Our report details the reality of living with autism in Kent

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    A new report details the challenges that families face when trying to get support for a child with autism.

  6. The value of World Mental Health Day at Canterbury

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    For world mental health day, we joined in the fun at Canterbury Christ Church University and spread the Healthwatch word. 

  7. 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.

  8. New Corona Helpline launched in Kent

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    A new 24 hour Helpline has been launched to support people who need urgent help in Kent

  9. Don't struggle alone

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    There is help for you and the people around you.

  10. Have you, or someone you care for experienced a mental health crisis?

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    The Kent and Medway CCG are looking to improve mental health crisis care. They have created a short survey to hear about the experiences of people who have suffered a mental health crisis, or care for someone who has.

  11. Protecting your patients and yourself

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    Everyday, people share with us their stories of living and working during the pandemic. Everything you tell us is anonymised and shared with the right person to ensure they hear your story and wherever possible make improvements as a result.

  12. Your feedback has helped parents to get medication for their children

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    Thanks to you, we've been able to help other parents to get the help they need to change the prescriptions for their child's mental health.

  13. Have you ever thought about using Talking Therapies? Maybe you think it might help you, but you’re not sure how?

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    This is your opportunity to have your say about how the Talking Therapy service in Kent currently works and how it could be improved for the future.

  14. Have you been a patient at Ruby Ward in Medway, or care for someone who has?

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    Would you be willing to share your experience?

  15. Share your experience of moving from child to adult mental health services

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    Your story could really help to improve the experience for other people in Kent & Medway.

  16. Changes to inpatient mental health services

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    Plans have been published to move inpatient mental health beds from Medway to a new, purpose built facility in Maidstone. Now is the time to share your thoughts on the proposals.

  17. Have you used community health services such as Live Well or Release the Pressure?

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    Now is the chance to share your thoughts about these services. Your feedback will help to shape the future of these services.

  18. Join a meeting to hear more about plans for inpatient mental health services

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    Join an online meeting to hear more about the proposal to relocate Ruby Ward from Medway Maritime Hospital to a new purpose-built unit next to Maidstone Hospital.

  19. Would you like to improve community mental health services?

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    Maybe you could help?

  20. How was your recent visit to the community mental health service?

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    Have you been to visit the community mental health service recently? Did you get the support that you needed? What would have made your experience better?

  21. How has lockdown affected people's mental health and dignity?

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    New research highlights the challenges faced by health and social care services in England and the importance of feedback for improving care.

  22. More needs to be done to ensure people with a learning disability, mental ill health or autism get the right care at the right time. Do you agree?

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    The Care Quality Commission has today published a report highlighting the lack of progress since their 2020 ‘Out of sight – who cares?’ report.

  23. 9 million people in the UK are lonely right now. Are you one of them?

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    Everyone can feel lonely at some point in their life.

  24. New initiative to support women with mental health issues during pregnancy and after birth.

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    Up to 20% of women develop mental health problems during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth. Many more experience mild mood changes. Partners may also experience poor mental health.

  25. Do you have an idea of how to improve the mental health of your community?

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    Funding is available for projects that support the mental health of your community but you need to act quick : the deadline for applications is 9am August 1st.

  26. Cast your vote to decide a new name for the mental wellbeing service

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    Thousands of us use the IAPT service every month to help us deal with anxiety and depression, but few of us actually know what IAPT stands for. You can help to change that.

  27. Have you experienced a mental health crisis?

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    Has urgent help become essential to support in the management of your life? If this has meant you have been on Section 136 we would value your thoughts.

  28. Public consultation on Health Based Places of Safety

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    In February 2023, Kent and Medway ICB and Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT) launched a public consultation on Health Based Places of Safety. These are the facilities KMPT provides for adults needing emergency care and assessment under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.