1. New Helpline for Dermatology patients

    News -

    The Dermatology service deals with skin conditions which can include rashes, lesions, lumps on the skin, changes to moles and skin cancer.

  2. Kent Care Homes & Covid : The Reality

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    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.

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

    News -

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

  4. 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.

  5. Listening to pharmacists

    News -

    During Covid, we have heard about the challenges people had getting their prescriptions, particularly in the early days of lockdown. We have shared that feedback directly with the Local Pharmacy Committee and now we want to hear from pharmacists too

  6. What will you want your care home to look like?

    News -

    It’s a fact of life that we will all get older, and some of us may need to go into a residential or nursing home. Whilst we might try not to think about it too much, people who work in care homes need to plan for our future.

  7. Did you know that smoking is a leading cause of accidental fires in peoples’ homes?

    News -

    Kent Fire & Rescue Service are looking to create a new campaign to help people stay safe in their homes.

    Could you be involved? KFRS wants to talk to smokers to understand your thoughts, feelings and experiences.

  8. Does your child have special educational needs?

    News -

    Have you needed to get support from school or college? Maybe your child has been assessed for an EHCP?

    If so, we want to hear from you.

  9. Tell Kent County Council your thoughts on how they could save money

    News -

    It’s no secret that Kent County Council is facing its toughest financial challenge for many years.

  10. We've been shortlisted for a national award!!

    News -

    Our work to improve wheelchair services in Kent has been recognised at the national Healthwatch England awards

  11. Did you know that we now have an enhanced NHS 111 service in Kent?

    News -

    When people in Kent, Medway & Sussex call NHS 111 they will now find more experienced clinicians on hand to answer their queries than ever before.

  12. Do you live in Swale? We have your invitation

    News -

    Would you like to get involved in discussion with leaders from health and care in Medway & Swale about what they should do?

  13. Blood tests back at Darent Valley Hospital thanks to your stories

    News -

    We’ve been hearing stories from people in North Kent about huge queues and long waits to get their blood tests done at Gravesham Community Hospital.

  14. How are you doing in lockdown 2.0?

    News -

    As we all face another lockdown and uncertain times ahead, please remember that there is support is available to you, and your family, during lockdown 2.0

  15. Do you use translation or interpreter services when you go to an NHS appointment?

    News -

    The NHS wants to hear about your experience of using translation or interpreter services when you visit the dentist, pharmacy or optician.

  16. Do you look after someone who is living with Dementia?

    News -

    Would you be willing to chat about your experience of looking after someone with Dementia to help improve services?

  17. Did your child miss their flu vaccine at school?

    News -

    If your child is aged 5 - 11 and missed their flu vaccine at school then there is a solution.

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

    News -

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

  19. Healthwatch Kent recognised in national awards

    News -

    Healthwatch Kent has been highly commended at a prestigious national award ceremony for their work to improve the wheelchair service for the 22,000 people who currently use a wheelchair in Kent and Medway.

  20. Kent to move into Tier Three

    News -

    With numbers of Covid patients on the increase, and the news today that Kent will move into Tier Three restrictions next week, it's a good time to remember to look after yourself.

  21. Don't struggle alone

    News -

    There is help for you and the people around you.

  22. Get your Vitamin D supplements

    News -

    Did you know that everyone is advised to take Vitamin D supplements every day during the autumn and winter months?

  23. Your comments are needed : New strategy for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities

    News -

    Kent County Council has published a new draft strategy which outlines its ambition that all children in Kent have equal access to support and education.

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

    News -

    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.

  25. 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.

  26. A vaccine is getting closer

    News -

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

  27. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas

    News -

    Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to share your experience of health and social care this year.

    Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

  28. 2020 : the good bits

    News -

    It wasn't the year that we planned, but thanks to you, we've still managed to make life better for hundreds of people. Check out our highlights

  29. New testing sites opening in Kent

    News -

    12 new testing sites are opening in Kent this week offering tests for people with no Covid symptoms.

  30. National lockdown : what does it mean for me?

    News -

    To help stop the spread of coronavirus, the government is advising everyone to stay at home from 5 January 2021.

  31. A vaccine with your name on it!

    News -

    One million adults in Kent & Medway will be offered the Coronavirus vaccine in the coming weeks and months. When will you get yours?

  32. 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.

  33. Your feedback has been heard

    News -

    Thanks to you, people who may be Deaf or Blind will get better support at Covid testing sites across Kent.

  34. More new testing centres

    News -

    Another five new testing centres are opening next week for people who have no Covid symptoms.

  35. East Kent Hospitals publish their maternity strategy

    News -

    East Kent Hospitals have published their maternity strategy which outlines how they plan to improve the care they offer to parents and new-born children.

  36. We're raising your vaccine questions directly with decision makers

    News -

    Unsurprisingly we've had lots of calls and emails about the Coronavirus vaccine in recent weeks. We've been able to help some frontline workers get access to their vaccine.

  37. Do you use Orchard surgery in Lydd?

    News -

    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.

  38. I couldn’t get there fast enough!

    News -

    How does it feel when you get your vaccine call up?


    This week we chatted with Lesley whose had her first Covid vaccine.

  39. New mass vaccination centre opens in Kent

    News -

    Kent's first mass vaccination centre has opened in Folkestone in the old Debenhams building.

  40. Second mass vaccination centre opens tomorrow

    News -

    Kent is to have a second mass vaccination centre which will open tomorrow (Feb 2nd) in Gravesend.

  41. Calling everyone living in ME15

    News -

    Everyone living within the postcode ME15 will soon be offered a Covid test at home after the South African variant of Coronavirus may have been found in the area.

  42. Have you been looked after by the community nursing team?

    News -

    Do you have ideas about what could be improved about the nursing care that you receive at home? Your questions could help inform what researchers should focus on.

  43. Protecting your patients and yourself

    News -

    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.

  44. Your Vaccine questions answered

    News -

    So many of you have been in touch to share your experience of being vaccinated, or to ask questions about the vaccine programme. We asked the Head of the Vaccine Programme all your questions, and more.

  45. All over 70s told to contact the NHS for their vaccine

    News -

    If you are over 70 years old and have not yet had your Coronavirus vaccine, you are being asked to contact the NHS to get booked in.

  46. All adults with learning disabilities are now being offered the vaccine

    News -

    All adults with learning difficulties are to be offered the Covid vaccine as part of the priority groups.

  47. When I told my friend that I was getting the vaccine, his response was ‘Bravissimo!'

    News -

    This week we spoke to Libby who has recently had her first COVID-19 vaccine.

  48. What’s it really like to be a parent, teacher, cook, cleaner, partner as well as a work colleague?

    News -

    We hear from working parents about how lockdown is affecting them.

  49. Fourth large-scale vaccination centre opens on Monday 22nd February in Thanet

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    A Thanet call centre will be transformed into a life-saving vaccination centre serving vulnerable people in Thanet and those within a 45-minute drive.

  50. Being invited for the vaccine made me feel like there’s hope

    News -

    This week we spoke to 21-year-old Sebastian who has recently had his vaccine.

    We've been hearing peoples' vaccine stories and questions and sharing them directly with decision makers. Tell us your story.