1. 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.

  2. Changes to bus services in Thanet

    News -

    The Thanet Over Fifties Forum recently attended a meeting about changes to bus services in Thanet. They shared with us a report from the meeting.

  3. Looking after someone? You're entitled to support

    Advice and Information -

    Most of us will provide care at some point in our lives to ill or disabled loved ones.

  4. Our second event to talk about neurological services

    News -

    Tomorrow (Nov 29th) we are hosting our second gathering of patients and professionals to talk about neurological services.

  5. 5 things you may not know about Pancreatic cancer

    Advice and Information -

    Today more than 1,250 people worldwide will be diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer.

  6. Older People Can Because Older People Do

    News -

    Kent residents come together to celebrate International Older People’s Day

  7. Do you use a wheelchair?

    News -

    We've heard from lots of people about wheelchair services in Kent. Do you have a story to share with us?

  8. Healthwatch Kent scruitinises the North Kent Urgent Care Review

    News -

    Urgent Care services in Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley are being reviewed with a view to making changes.

    Healthwatch has a statutory responsibility to scruitinise the process of change to ensure the voice of residents has been heard.

  9. Patient feedback drives improvements for partially sighted patients in Maidstone

    Report -

    Partially sighted patients will now find it easier to attend an appointment at Maidstone Hospital thanks to feedback from patients.

  10. Healthwatch Kent comments on the CQC rating of South East Coast Ambulance Service

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission has announced today that the ambulance service, which serves Kent, has been rated as ‘Good’ and the Trust will now exit Special Measures.

  11. Healthwatch Kent shortlisted for national award

    News -

    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.

  12. Working with PPG groups

    News -

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

  13. We take pride at Pride

    News -

    Thanks to everyone who stopped by to chat to us at Dover Pride today!

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

    News -

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

  15. Safeguarding: How to recognise abuse and neglect

    Advice and Information -

    There are different kinds of abuse and it can happen anywhere. Abuse occurs when someone exploits another person or treats them in a way that harms or hurts them. It can happen once or on multiple occasions.

  16. Tips to keep your little ones healthy (and at school)

    News -

    With the schools opening up again for the new academic years the NHS have released a toolkit for parents to help keep your little snappers healthy, and in school.

  17. You Said We Did in 2021 and 2022

    Report -

    What have we done with your voice

  18. You Said, We Did 2023

    Report -

    What have we done with your voice in April?

  19. You Said We Did April 2016 - December 2020

    Report -

    What have we done with your voice between April 2016 and March 2019?

  20. Working with HOSC

    News -

    We attend HOSC every month. HOSC stands for the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee and is a meeting of KCC Elected Members who scrutinise health services.

  21. 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.

  22. You Said, We Did April 2019 - March 2020

    Report -

    What have we done with your voice between April 2019 and March 2020?

  23. Kent County Council Peoples' Panel

    News -

    A new Peoples' Panel met for the first time today. Its purpose is to bring a range of people together to input their ideas and thoughts at an early stage in discussions about social care services.

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

    News -

    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).

  25. Feedback from people with Asthma

    News -

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

  26. How easy is it to attend a hospital appointment if you use a communication aid?

    Report -

    That's the question we asked ourselves when we visited Tunbridge Wells Hospital recently.

  27. My life as a carer – one of seven million stories

    Blog -

    Three in five of us will become an unpaid carer at some point in our lives. Kate* tells us about what it was like becoming a carer for her husband and the difficulties they faced.

  28. Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report

    Report -

    Read Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board's 2022/23 annual report, acknowledging the large range of work done to safeguard vulnerable people who may be at risk across Kent and Medway.

  29. Getting NHS Dental care

    Advice and Information -

    What is available on the NHS? What do you have to pay for? How much is it going to cost? These are some of the questions you have asked that our leaflet has the answers to. 

  30. Focus on Patient Experience

    Report -

    NHS Trusts all over Kent come to Healthwatch regularly seeking guidance on how to involve patients, carers and families more constructively in their services.  In this report, we discuss patient experience.

  31. We throw a spotlight on commissioning

    Report -

    With the commissioning landscape across Kent & Medway changing, we have been working to ensure the voice of patients is heard clearly by decision makers.

  32. Information about Coronavirus

    Advice and Information -

    Read the latest advice and information from NHS England and Public Health England about the Coronavirus.

  33. Coronavirus is affecting my mental health – what can I do?

    Advice and Information -

    The current Coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic may cause you to feel worried, anxious, or scared. Read our seven steps to looking after your wellbeing while staying informed.

  34. Your community needs you – NHS call for volunteer army

    News -

    Protect your loved ones and protect the nation, volunteer to help those that are most vulnerable to the effects of coronavirus (COVID-19) stay at home. Join the army of NHS volunteers today.

  35. Your COVID-19 story

    News -

    We want to hear how the Coronavirus is affecting you and your family. Tell us your story, no matter how small, and we can use it to identify any gaps in services

  36. Coronavirus Information for Long Term Conditions

    Advice and Information -

    If you, or someone in your family has a long term health condition, it can be tricky to know what to do. We are here to help.

  37. New Corona Helpline launched in Kent

    News -

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

  38. What services are still available during the pandemic?

    News -

    Many of Kent's health & social care services are still operating albeit in a slightly different way.

  39. What is Healthwatch doing to help right now?

    News -

    Everyone has been thinking about how they can help during the Corona epidemic. Here is a snapshot of what the Healthwatch team has been doing.

  40. Planning care at the end of life

    Advice and Information -

    We explain why it’s important to have a plan in place, should you or a loved one become critically ill with coronavirus.

  41. New Emergency Dental Care now available

    News -

    New Urgent Dental Care Centres are being opened to provide emergency dental treatment during the Coronavirus pandemic.

  42. What is domestic abuse and how can I get support?

    Advice and Information -

    If you are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who might be, find out where you can go for advice and help.

  43. Giving thanks to our volunteers

    News -

    Although we can't see our volunteers face to face this week, that doesn't stop us from thanking our Volunteers this Volunteers Week.

  44. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected Black and Asian people according to latest PHE report. Tell us your experience

    News -

    Share your story to help Kent services learn and improve from the experiences of people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds during COVID-19.

  45. What's the difference between social distancing, self-isolation and shielding?

    Advice and Information -

    Self-isolation, social distancing and shielding are all new terms that have become part of our daily language. Find out what they mean in practice and what applies to you.

  46. New testing location in Kent

    News -

    A new drive through testing facility for Coronavirus opened at Manston Airport in Ramsgate opened this week. This site will join the existing locations in Ashford & Ebbsfleet to increase the number of people who can be tested each day.

  47. 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.

  48. Covid-19 vaccine – where are we?

    Advice and Information -

    Scientists all over the world are racing to develop a vaccine for the coronavirus pandemic. The virus causing this disease is called SARS Cov2. A total of 26 candidates are currently in the clinical evaluation stage of development, according to WHO.

  49. When should I get a Covid test?

    Advice and Information -

    With testing hitting the headlines in recent days, and increasing numbers of people trying to get a Covid test, it can be confusing to know when you should, or shouldn’t seek a Covid test.