1. Are you under 18, live in East Kent or Swale and have a long term health condition?

    News -

    This is your chance to speak up.

    The NHS want to hear from you because they want to improve the way your care is organised and co-ordinated.

  2. Helping people to get registered with a GP

    News -

    Many people come to us because they are struggling to register with a GP near to them. This month we've been able to help two families to get registered.

  3. Would you like to lose weight but don’t know how?

    Advice and Information -

    In our heart of hearts, all of us know that we should be looking after ourselves, especially during a pandemic.

  4. We're helping people every day

    News -

    Every month, we give support, information and signposting to nearly 2,000 people.

    Every day, we help individual people. This month we helped someone who needed a dental check up before they could start medical treatment.

  5. Have you had your smear test recently? Did you know 75% of cervical cancers can be prevented by having a smear test?

    Advice and Information -

    Nine women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every day in the UK. 75% of cervical cancers can be prevented by cervical screening (smear tests).

  6. Getting you answers about the GP eConsult service

    News -

    Many of you have been in touch to share your experience of using the GP eConsult service. We shared your stories with the right decision makers and we've got an update for you.

  7. The Accessible Information Standard - what you can expect from services

    Advice and Information -

    The Accessible Information Standard is mandatory for all organisations that provide NHS or adult social care. Here’s some key information about the accessible communications you should expect from services.

  8. Did you know today is Dignity Action Day?

    News -

    Dignity is precious. It is especially important when we are feeling more vulnerable such as when we are in hospital, being looked after at home or living in a care home.

  9. Have you heard of Raynaud’s?

    Advice and Information -

    You probably know someone with Raynaud’s without even realising it. February is Raynaud’s Awareness Month.

  10. Everything you need to know about a Colonoscopy

    Advice and Information -

    Thousands of people have a colonoscopy every week. It’s a very common procedure but do you actually know what it is, or what it involves? We’ve got everything you need to know.

  11. We chat to the Director of Adult Social Care about Carers

    News -

    We asked Chris McKenzie from Kent County Council, your questions about Kent's adult carers strategy.

  12. What did you tell us in December?

    Report -

    2,438 of you came to us in December to share your experience of using health and social care services or to seek information.

  13. Kent NHS trusts not consistently meeting the legal rights of deaf and blind patients to accessible information

    News -

    Local NHS trusts are only partially meeting their legal duty to help people with additional communication needs, new findings show.

  14. Making it easier for people with learning difficulties to attend hospital appointments in East Kent

    Report -

    We've been working with East Kent Hospitals for several years now helping them to make it easier for people with learning difficulties to attend a hospital appointment. Check out what's changed as a result.

  15. Did you know that 300 million people in the world live with a rare disease? Today is their day and I am one of them.

    News -

    Today (February 28th) is Rare Disease Day. In a leap year it’s celebrated on February 29th - the rarest day of the year. It’s a worldwide event to raise awareness of rare diseases and advocate for people like me who live with a rare disease.

  16. How will the NHS tackle the backlog?

    News -

    With a record six million people currently waiting for hospital treatment in the UK, the NHS has set out its plan to address the backlog that has built up during the Covid-19 pandemic and tackle long waiting lists for care.

  17. What did you tell us in January?

    Report -

    2,624 of you came to us in January to share your experience of using health and social care services or to seek information.

  18. New idea to support older people and people with disabilities in Kent to live better at home

    News -

    A new project is being developed by Kent County Council to help support people with disabilities as well as older people in Kent to stay in their own homes and communities.

  19. Raising awareness about self injury

    Advice and Information -

    We’re working to raise awareness about self injury.

  20. 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.

  21. Where can I get support for an eating disorder?

    Advice and Information -

    You are not alone. Around 1.25 million people in the UK are dealing with an eating disorder right now, many in secret.

  22. Have you had lung cancer, or looked after someone who has?

    News -

    Your experience could help improve early detection of lung cancer.

  23. Do you have your dream job yet?

    Advice and Information -

    Navigating the world of work can be daunting, especially if you've just left education. Where do you start?

  24. No Smoking Day 9th March 2022

    Advice and Information -

    Quitting smoking doesn’t have to be stressful!

  25. Brain size does not determine intelligence

    Advice and Information -

    Did you know that Albert Einstein’s brain weighed less than the average brain?!

  26. What do you know about Down’s Syndrome? Today is Down’s Syndrome Day

    Advice and Information -

    Down’s syndrome happens when you are born with an extra chromosome. The extra chromosome causes developmental and physical changes.

  27. Talking endometriosis

    Advice and Information -

    1 in 10 women have endometriosis. It can be extremely painful and take years to get a diagnosis. We talk to Rheanna about her experience.

  28. 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?

    News -

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

  29. Let your smile do the talking

    Advice and Information -

    When people talk about oral health, they mean the way we care for our teeth. If you brush your teeth every day and eat well, then you have good oral health!

  30. Let your smile do the talking

    Advice and Information -

    When people talk about oral health, they mean the way we care for our teeth. If you brush your teeth every day and eat well, then you have good oral health!

  31. NHS announces plans to recruit more GPs in Medway, Swale and Thanet

    News -

    A £500,000 package has been authorised by health leaders to combat the GP shortage in the most disadvantaged areas of Kent including Medway.

  32. Celebrating excellence at the Healthwatch Recognition Awards

    News -

    40 people and organisations were winners last night at the prestigious Healthwatch Recognition Awards in Ashford which recognised the people and organisations who had listened to you.

  33. What do you really know about Neurodiversity?

    Advice and Information -

    Increasing understanding of neurodiversity and autism.

  34. Knowing the symptoms of bowel cancer could save your life!

    Advice and Information -

    Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the UK, and most people diagnosed with it are over the age of 60.

    Every 15 minutes someone is diagnosed with the disease, that's nearly 43,000 people each year.

  35. How does the environment affect our health?

    Advice and Information -

    Where we live and the environment we live in, directly affects our health.

  36. What do you know about Parkinson’s Disease?

    Advice and Information -

    Parkinson's is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. It’s also very common. Two people are diagnosed every hour in the UK. But how much do you really know about Parkinson’s Disease?

  37. Have you heard of Haemophilia?

    Advice and Information -

    For World Haemophilia Day we wanted to help raise awareness of this rare condition.
    Haemophilia is rare and affects your blood's ability to clot.
    It's usually inherited and most people who have it are male.

  38. Celebrating World Immunisation Week

    Advice and Information -

    As we adjust to a life of no Covid restrictions, we’re taking a moment in World Immunisation Week to recognise the power of vaccinations and the incredible vaccination programme that we’ve just witnessed across the UK.

  39. Multiple Sclerosis : invisible & misunderstood

    Advice and Information -

    Multiple sclerosis (which is also known as MS), is a condition that can affect your brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with your vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance.

  40. What did you tell us in February?

    Report -

    3,979 of you came to us in February to share your experience of using health and social care services or to seek information.

  41. Where can I go for support for my mental health as a new parent?

    Advice and Information -

    It's so important that you feel supported as a new parent. Read the article below to find out where you can go to get the help you need.

  42. We all know someone with hearing loss, but do you know how to help them?

    Advice and Information -

    Hearing loss is really common. But many people struggle when it could be treated.

  43. 9 million people in the UK are lonely right now. Are you one of them?

    Advice and Information -

    Everyone can feel lonely at some point in their life. Loneliness affects people of all ages and backgrounds. It can cause us real emotional pain and can impact on our physical and mental health.

  44. Have you heard of Fibromyalgia?

    Advice and Information -

    Fibromyalgia is a long term condition that causes pain all over the body. It’s also known as fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). It can be quite common – Lady Gaga has it!

  45. What did you tell us in March?

    Report -

    2,395 of you came to us in March to share your experience of using health and social care services or to seek information.

  46. Helping people to get the care that they need

    News -

    2,395 people came to us this month either to tell us their experience of using health or social care services, or seek information.

  47. Can you claim carers support if you have recently moved to the UK?

    Advice and Information -

    The short answer is yes! But it can be complicated so we have more detail for you.

  48. Are you an adult who receives care?

    News -

    Are you the relative, or friend, of someone who does?

    Do you consider yourself vulnerable?

    Do you know someone that could be vulnerable?

    Then this announcement is for you.

  49. Does the NHS have to provide an interpreter?

    Advice and Information -

    Do you know about your rights to language support in NHS settings?

  50. Epilepsy is one of the oldest known medical conditions

    Advice and Information -

    It’s quite common and affects the brain causing frequent seizures.