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

    News -

    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.

  2. The challenge is that my husband won’t remember having the first vaccine

    News -

    People who look after someone at home are now entitled to the Covid vaccine. Penny looks after her husband who has Parkinson's. Both of them have recently been vaccinated for Covid. We spoke to Penny about her experience.

  3. 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.

  4. The reality of home-schooling and working

    News -

    Just like us, many of you have been juggling work and home school for the past nine weeks. Home-schooling in the winter has been much harder than the initial lockdown.

  5. Inspirational women for International Women's Day

    News -

    To celebrate International Women's Day we chatted to the brilliant Katy Styles. We've worked with Katy many times over the years and we know she has inspired many other people too.

  6. Can I finally hug my Mum in a Care Home?

    News -

    From this week, some visitors are being allowed into Care Homes. But what are the rules and regulations and will you actually be able to hug your loved ones just yet?

  7. Covid : one year on

    News -

    Today marks a whole year since the Government announced the first lockdown. How has your life changed since then?

  8. Have you had Covid? Are you still struggling?

    News -

    Have you, or someone you know, had Covid and are still feeling the effects four weeks later?

  9. We get your vaccine questions answered

    News -

    Every day we’re taking calls from people with questions about the Covid vaccine.
    If we don’t know the answer, we don’t rest until we find it.
    Here are a few of the questions we’ve heard this week. We hope the answers may help you too.

  10. A vaccine with your name on it - book it!

    News -

    There are slots available this week for the Covid vaccine. Have you had yours? Book it today!

  11. Over 1 million Covid vaccines

    News -

    Over 1 million people in Kent and Medway have now received their Covid vaccination. Have you had yours? Tell us about it.

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

    News -

    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.

  13. Help improve Diabetes services in East Kent

    News -

    A major new project has started to improve diabetes services across East Kent. So now is your chance to get involved and share your thoughts.

  14. Have you experienced End of Life care services recently?

    News -

    The NHS in Kent & Medway are looking to hear feedback from people who have had experience of end of life care services. They want to learn from your feedback to inform a new strategy to help them improve the care offered to people.

  15. Did you know you can now get Covid tests from your pharmacy?

    News -

    All of us are now being encouraged to take a Covid test regularly even if we don't have any symptoms.

  16. 42 year olds and over can now get their vaccine

    News -

    The Covid vaccine programme has today been extended and anyone over the age of 42 can now book their vaccine.

  17. Have you booked your Covid vaccine yet?

    News -

    Anyone aged 38 or over , is now entitled to get their Covid vaccination.

  18. Do you really know if you are negative?

    News -

    We might feel fine, but around a third of all people with Coronavirus have no symptoms.

  19. Twin crisis of access and affordability calls for radical rethink of NHS dentistry

    News -

    Healthwatch England warns dental crisis shows no signs of slowing, with four in five people, 80%, struggling to access timely care during the last lockdown.

  20. Over 1 million vaccines in Kent & Medway. Have you had yours?

    News -

    Over 1 million people in Kent & Medway have now had their first dose of the Covid vaccine. Have you had yours? Tell us about it.

  21. Talking about wheelchair services

    News -

    Together with the Kent Physical Disability Forum, and other local groups, we've been working for several years to improve wheelchair services in Kent & Medway.

  22. “I can't ignore the feeling of pride that I enjoy volunteering within this excellent team.”

    News -

    This week we are celebrating!

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

    News -

    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?

  24. Celebrating our volunteers all week and every week

    News -

    Our volunteers are our lifeblood. They help us with every aspect of Healthwatch from making decisions about our priorities, listening to patients and ensuring peoples' voices are heard.

  25. Do you live in Canterbury? Have you had your Covid test yet?

    News -

    If you live or work in the Canterbury postcode CT1 or CT27, you are being encouraged to get a Covid test at one of the 5 testing sites in the area.

  26. "Covid was frightening. I couldn't afford to get ill"

    News -

    We're lucky enough to hear from Carers every week so we know just how brilliant they are and how vital it is that they get the support they need. Today marks the start of Carer's Week, and to celebrate we chatted to Jenny who is a Carer.

  27. New research exploring vaccination confidence provides vital lessons for public health campaigns

    News -

    Healthwatch England has joined forces with Traverse to explore vaccination confidence among people from African, Bangladeshi, Caribbean and Pakistani backgrounds living in the UK.

  28. New GP data-sharing system delayed

    News -

    NHS Digital have recently announced plans to allow an NHS system to extract patient data from doctors’ surgeries in England. The new data-sharing system was due to start in July but has now been pushed back to 1 September.

  29. Five principles for post-COVID-19 digital healthcare

    News -

    Healthwatch England has published a new report exploring people's experiences of digital and remote healthcare. They have set out five principles for post-COVID19 care to ensure no one is left behind.

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

    News -

    Would you be willing to share your experience?

  31. Part of a winning team!

    News -

    We've been working with a team of people and organisations to improve the NHS 111 service. That team has won the Partnership Award at the national Health Service Journal annual awards ceremony.

  32. Helping you get your vaccine

    News -

    People contact us about a whole range of issues, but this week we were able to help someone get their Covid vaccine.

  33. Have you used the wheelchair service?

    News -

    We've been working for years to help improve wheelchair services and make sure they work well for everyone who uses them.

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

    News -

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

  35. 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.

  36. How would you like Kent County Council to spend their money?

    News -

    Kent County Council are starting to think about how they spend their money next year. They need to hear from you about what's important to you and where you would be willing to see change.

  37. Changes to inpatient mental health services

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

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

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

    News -

    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.

  40. Are you struggling to get an NHS dentist?

    News -

    You are not alone! More people than ever before have been in touch this month to share their story about finding an NHS dentist and ask for information.

  41. Do you have something to say about domestic abuse services?

    News -

    Are you part of a group or Forum that would be interested to in discussing housing, domestic abuse and increasing safety? Perhaps you would be willing to share your own personal story about domestic abuse?

  42. Vaccine programme : boosters and vaccinations for children

    News -

    Booster vaccinations are already being offered across Kent & Medway and the vaccine programme will now extend to include children aged 12 and above following the recent Government announcement.

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

    News -

    Maybe you could help?

  44. Have your say on plans for social care in Kent

    News -

    If you, or a member or your family, needs help to remain independent at home, gets support for being a carer, or lives in a care home, then chances are they are funded by adult social care services.

  45. New service for men who are victims of domestic abuse in Kent

    News -

    A new service dedicated to supporting men who are victims of domestic abuse has been launched in Kent & Medway this week.

  46. Help the Non Emergency Patient Transport Service to be better

    News -

    If you need help to attend an NHS appointment, you may have used the Non Emergency Patient Transport Service to help you get there.
    This is a free transport service that is available to some, but not all, patients based on their eligibility.

  47. State of Care : our response

    News -

    Today, the health and care regulator, the Care Quality Commission, published their annual review of NHS and social care support. Read our response.

  48. NHS dentistry: We're calling for the Government to invest

    News -

    We have co-signed an open letter addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak calling for a recovery plan for NHS dentistry.

  49. 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.

  50. 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.