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. 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.

  3. Feedback about Frank Lloyd Unit in Sittingbourne

    Report -

    We recently met with Carers whose loved ones were being cared for at the Frank Lloyd Unit in Sittingbourne.

    This report details al that they told us.

    We have shared the feedback with the mental health trust.

  4. Community mental health services : what have you told us?

    Report -

    We visited 6 community mental health units in 2018 talking to 86 people about their experience of using the service.

  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. Do you know someone who lives in Folkestone & has used crisis mental health services?

    News -

    If you, or someone you know, has used the crisis mental health service then we want to hear from you.

  7. Focus on Food Banks

    Report -

    Our parent company, Engaging Kent is working with Food Banks across Kent to support them to come together and create the Kent Food Bank Forum.

  8. Have you used IAPT services?

    Report -

    We've had some feedback about IAPT services but we want to hear more!

  9. What changes have we secured to the CAMHS service?

    Report -

    Back in 2016, we spoke with 302 people about their experience of children and adolescent mental health services.

  10. You have chosen our priorities and we have listened

    News -

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

  11. 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.

  12. The reality of autism for young people and their families in Kent

    Report -

    We hear about the difficulties families face when accessing support for their children who may be autistic. We wanted to explore the issues in more detail and gather more feedback about services for children and young people who have autism.

  13. Our report details the reality of living with autism in Kent

    News -

    A new report details the challenges that families face when trying to get support for a child with autism.

  14. Mental health: Tips for starting the conversation

    Advice and Information -

    When talking about mental health, one of the biggest obstacles is opening the conversation. So here are some tips you can use when a friend, family member or colleague might be struggling with their mental health.

  15. The value of World Mental Health Day at Canterbury

    News -

    For world mental health day, we joined in the fun at Canterbury Christ Church University and spread the Healthwatch word. 

  16. 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.

  17. Tips to de-stress at work and home

    Advice and Information -

    For Stress Awareness Week, we created a space in our office for team members to share their de-stressing tips they use at work. At the end of the week this is what we got!

  18. Driving improvements to community mental health

    Report -

    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.

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

    Blog -

    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.

  20. 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.

  21. New Corona Helpline launched in Kent

    News -

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

  22. Top Tips for lockdown health and well being

    Advice and Information -

    Many more people are suffering from anxiety, low mood or just feel ‘plain fed up’ because of the pandemic and the lockdown restrictions. This can often make us feel tired and can affect our enthusiasm for doing almost anything.

  23. Don't struggle alone

    News -

    There is help for you and the people around you.

  24. Have you, or someone you care for experienced a mental health crisis?

    News -

    The Kent and Medway CCG are looking to improve mental health crisis care. They have created a short survey to hear about the experiences of people who have suffered a mental health crisis, or care for someone who has.

  25. Protecting your patients and yourself

    News -

    Everyday, people share with us their stories of living and working during the pandemic. Everything you tell us is anonymised and shared with the right person to ensure they hear your story and wherever possible make improvements as a result.

  26. 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.

  27. 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.

  28. 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?

  29. 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.

  30. 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.

  31. 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.

  32. 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.

  33. What should I expect after being referred for mental health support?

    Advice and Information -

    Your mental wellness is as important as your physical health but seeking help can be daunting. Here's what to expect when you seek support for your mental health.

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

    News -

    Maybe you could help?

  35. How are you really feeling?

    Advice and Information -

    aaand breathe. Are you stressed, anxious or depressed? You’re not alone.

  36. How was your recent visit to the community mental health service?

    News -

    Have you been to visit the community mental health service recently? Did you get the support that you needed? What would have made your experience better?

  37. How has lockdown affected people's mental health and dignity?

    News -

    New research highlights the challenges faced by health and social care services in England and the importance of feedback for improving care.

  38. Read our scrutiny of the public consultation on Ruby Ward

    Report -

    One of our statutory responsibilities is to act as a critical friend on public consultations. Our role is to ensure people have been involved and listened to as part of any public consultation.

  39. 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.

  40. 9 million people in the UK are lonely right now. Are you one of them?

    News -

    Everyone can feel lonely at some point in their life.

  41. New initiative to support women with mental health issues during pregnancy and after birth.

    News -

    Up to 20% of women develop mental health problems during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth. Many more experience mild mood changes. Partners may also experience poor mental health.

  42. It’s ok to not be ok

    Advice and Information -

    How are you, really? Are you ok? Perhaps you can't quite put your finger on it, but you're not feeling like yourself. Are you feeling more tired or more emotional? Maybe you don’t want to do the things that you usually enjoy.

  43. Do you have an idea of how to improve the mental health of your community?

    News -

    Funding is available for projects that support the mental health of your community but you need to act quick : the deadline for applications is 9am August 1st.

  44. Take a moment on World Mental Health Day

    Advice and Information -

    We all have 'mental health', just as we all have 'physical health'. And just like our physical health, we can all have times when our mental health is better than others.

  45. Cast your vote to decide a new name for the mental wellbeing service

    News -

    Thousands of us use the IAPT service every month to help us deal with anxiety and depression, but few of us actually know what IAPT stands for. You can help to change that.

  46. It’s Time to Talk about Mental Health

    Advice and Information -

    We need to look after both our mental and physical health.

  47. Have you experienced a mental health crisis?

    News -

    Has urgent help become essential to support in the management of your life? If this has meant you have been on Section 136 we would value your thoughts.

  48. Have you or those you know experienced a mental health crisis?

    Advice and Information -

    Across February and March, the NHS are holding Forums attended by a Lead NHS Officer to understand the experience of Crisis services in Kent. These Forums are to guide changes and improvements, with interest in those who have been on Section 136.

  49. Mental health together

    Advice and Information -

    A new NHS service called Mental Health Together will soon be available to patients in East Kent in the latest phase of its roll-out across Kent and Medway.

  50. Public consultation on Health Based Places of Safety

    News -

    In February 2023, Kent and Medway ICB and Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT) launched a public consultation on Health Based Places of Safety. These are the facilities KMPT provides for adults needing emergency care and assessment under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.