1. Focus on Patient Experience

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    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.

  2. Have you say on Kent County Councils draft 5 year plan

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    Kent County Council have just launched a new consultation on their 5 year plan 'Your Future, Our Priority' and want to know your thoughts.

  3. Press Statement : East Kent maternity

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    Healthwatch Kent comments on the Maternity services in East Kent.

  4. 'Let's discuss cancer' event

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  5. Driving improvements to the wheelchair service

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    You will know that we’ve been working with the Kent Physical Disability Forum for over a year now to help improve the wheelchair service for thousands of people in Kent.

  6. Driving improvements to wheelchair services

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    We’ve been working with the Kent Physical Disability Forum for over a year now to help improve the wheelchair service for thousands of people in Kent.

  7. We ensure your voice is heard for the future of Extra Care Housing

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    When you get older, you may need to have care in your home. Many people consider moving into Extra Care Housing which ensures you have your own home but care and support is available should you need it. We wanted to know what you may want.

  8. We throw a spotlight on commissioning

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

  9. Urgent Care Consultation listens to patients

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    Residents in North Kent have recently been asked for their thoughts on plans to create an Urgent Treatment Centre. 16,500 people responded and it's brilliant to see plans change as a result of their views.

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

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    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.

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

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    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.

  12. Driving improvements to community mental health

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    Recently we have revisited six Community Mental Health clinics to see what changes have been made since our first reports.

    We spoke to 128 patients and 25 carers.

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

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    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.

  14. The Voice of Kent Residents Driving Improvements to Mental Health Services

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    Watching the Panorama programme this week has reminded everyone about the importance of health services working together to support vulnerable patients like Callie Lewis who used community mental health services, services for Autism and Asperger's.

  15. 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.

  16. Have you got a story to share?

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

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    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.

  29. 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.

  30. Your COVID-19 story

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    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

  31. 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.

  32. New Corona Helpline launched in Kent

    News -

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

  33. What services are still available during the pandemic?

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

  34. What is Healthwatch doing to help right now?

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    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.

  35. 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.

  36. New Emergency Dental Care now available

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

  37. Update on Autism services in Kent

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    Last year, we published a report about Autism services in Kent for children and young people.

    We had heard from people about a whole range of issues including a lack of information and support for children and families.

  38. We want to hear from more people about lockdown. Could you help?

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    It’s really important that we hear how people are coping right now. We can ensure that your feedback can inform emergency planning and help organisations to plan how to get back to 'normal'.

  39. Do you know someone who is helping to look after someone?

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    Many people might normally be caring (albeit informally) for a neighbour or family member. For example, they may usually collect a prescription or do the shopping for someone. They may cook a hot meal for someone regularly.

  40. Information about Coronavirus

    Advice and Information -

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

  41. How did people cope during lockdown in April?

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    Since early April, we have been listening to people's stories about lockdown. We wanted to understand how they have been coping.

  42. New phone app to support carers in Kent

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    If you look after someone then the NHS has launched a new phone app to support you called, Help to Care.

  43. Giving thanks to our volunteers

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    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. What's it like to care for someone during a pandemic?

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    This week is Carers Week. We know that hundreds of people in Kent are looking after someone right now. If you, or someone you know, has found themselves looking after someone during Covid, did you know that there may be support available to you?

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

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    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.

  46. Do you have a friend or relative in a Care Home right now? Can you tell us your thoughts?

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    This month our spotlight is on Care Homes, as we gather feedback from residents, families and Care Home staff about how Kent’s Care Homes are coping and what lessons have been learnt. We want the positive stories as well as what could be improved.

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

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    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.

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

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    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.

  49. Healthwatch Kent Annual Report 2019/20

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    If you want to know a bit more about us and what we achieved over the past year, then this is the document for you : our annual report for 2019/2020