1. We take your views to Parliament

    News -

    Last week, we travelled to London to join forces with more than 100 fellow local Healthwatch organisations at our annual parliamentary reception.

  2. Jane’s Story: Booking a smear test

    Blog -

    Five million women are invited for a smear test, but 1 in 4 women don't attend their smear test. Why is that? We assume it is because people are worried about the procedure. Could it be in part because people are struggling to get an appointment?

  3. What did people from Folkestone tell us?

    Report -

    Last month we visited Folkestone & Hythe District Council to talk to their staff about their experiences of local health & social care services. We met 230 people in total during our visit.

  4. Spotlight on GP services

    Report -

    Since April 2017 we have heard from 365 people about their experience of GP services in Kent.

    Although we hear lots of positive stories, we've heard 394 negative comments.

  5. 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.

  6. Spotlight on Gypsy & Traveller communities

    Report -

    Kent has one of the highest populations of Travellers in the UK.

    At Healthwatch Kent we regularly visit Traveller sites to hear directly from the community about the issues they face about health and social care services.

  7. Spotlight on Learning Disabilities

    Report -

    In the second of a new series of reports, we have highlighted the feedback we’ve heard from people with learning disabilities.

    Everything we have heard from people is included in the report.

  8. Have you struggled to get a GP appointment? Tell us about it!

    News -

    In the news this weekend, we've heard new figures showing that many people struggle to get an appointment with their GP.

  9. 3 alternatives when you can't get GP appointment

    Advice and Information -

    It’s never great when you can’t get a GP appointment in a moment of need

  10. Help shape Urgent Treatment Centres in North Kent

    News -

    Plans are being developed for Urgent Treatment Centres across the UK. The Centres would treat all minor illnesses and injuries for all age groups in one place.

  11. What should happen when GP surgeries close or merge?

    Report -

    Healthwatches across the South East have heard from people who are concerned about their GP surgery either closing or merging.

  12. You have chosen our priorities and we have listened

    News -

    Over 7,800 saw our vote and hundreds of you voted, so thank you!

  13. Commissioners respond to our GP report

    News -

    In March we published a report detailing all the feedback we had heard from Kent residents about GP services.

  14. Urgent care in Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley is going to change. Get involved

    News -

    A formal public consultation has been launched this month to decide the location of a new Urgent Treatment Centre in Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley area.

  15. We hear from children and young people

    Report -

    Children and young people from across Kent & Medway have talked to us about their experience of using health and social care services.

  16. Working with PPG groups

    News -

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

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. 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).

  20. 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

  21. Talking about End of Life services

    News -

    We recently had the opportunity to chat with a group of Carers about End of Life services in North Kent.

  22. GP Walk In service at Northfleet closes today

    News -

    Today the walk in GP clinic at Northfleet has closed. It’s not new news as the decision was announced some months ago, and is part of plans to create an Urgent Treatment Centre in the area following a public consultation earlier in the year.

  23. Do you live in or near Hextable?

    News -

    Are you a patient at Hextable GP surgery? If so, you are being asked to share your thoughts about the future of Hextable Surgery

  24. 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.

  25. 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.

  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. 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.

  28. 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?

  29. 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.

  30. 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.

  31. Needing the NHS while out at sea

    Report -

    Being a fisherman is a tough job. It's dangerous with long hours and in difficult conditions. They also work unsociable hours making it hard for fishermen to use public services.

  32. What is a GP referral and how can you get one?

    Advice and Information -

    When you need specialist NHS support, like hospital tests or treatment, you often need a referral from your GP first. Find out what this includes and what to expect.

  33. What people have told us about general practice

    Report -

    This report presents the feedback received from people via Healthwatch Kent, Healthwatch Medway and Kent and Medway Voice about their experiences of general practice from November 2022 to April 2023.

  34. Primary care work

    News -

    In May, Healthwatch England shared their initial response to the Government's Primary Care recovery plan and what it would mean for you and your loved ones.

  35. 10 top tips to get the most out of your GP appointment

    Advice and Information -

    We know from our conversations with the public that some patients report feeling rushed during appointments and struggling to make themselves heard. Here are some tips that could help you get the most out of visiting your GP.

  36. 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.

  37. 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

  38. 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.

  39. New Corona Helpline launched in Kent

    News -

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

  40. 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.

  41. 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.

  42. 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.

  43. New Emergency Dental Care now available

    News -

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

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

    News -

    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'.

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

    News -

    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.

  46. 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.

  47. How did people cope during lockdown in April?

    Report -

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

  48. 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.

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

    News -

    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.

  50. 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.