1. Meet the people using their voice to make a difference to care of others

    News -

    Five people and groups have been shortlisted for a national award that celebrates local people who, through their dedication, have helped improve health and care for their community.

  2. Would you rather be treated by a fallible human or a compassionless robot? Healthwatch explores people's views on the NHS at 80 and beyond

    News -

    In the 70th much celebrated year of the NHS, Healthwatch is turning its attention to the future, asking the public some big questions about what they want health and care in England to look like.

  3. Public confident in today's NHS but pessimistic about the future

    News -

    The 70th birthday celebrations that took place earlier in the year are just the latest in a long line of examples illustrating the pride we take as a country in our NHS.

  4. NHS not tracking why an increasing number of people are going back into hospital after having been discharged

    News -

    Hundreds of thousands of people are having to go back into hospital within 30 days of being discharged, but a lack of data means the NHS is not analysing the reasons why.

  5. Changes to hospital services in East Kent which may affect you

    News -

    You may already have heard about some potential changes to health services in East Kent. Believe it or not, it could affect you too.

  6. Equipment Amnesty......get rid of all that clutter!

    News -

    Do you have old equipment at home that you no longer need? Don't know where to return it to?

  7. We hope you like our new look!

    News -

    We've set up a new freephone Helpline so do contact us with all your experiences

  8. Do you struggle to get an appointment with your GP?

    News -

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

  9. Decision meeting about Kent & Medway Stroke services

    News -

    On February 14th, the Joint Committee of all 8 Clincial Commissioning Groups will meet in public to make a final decision about stroke services.

  10. 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. It was an opportunity to raise the real life concerns of Medway residents with MPs.

  11. Stroke services : a decision is made

    News -

    For many months now, stroke services across Kent & Medway have been reviewed. The decision has now been made.

  12. Do you use a wheelchair?

    News -

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

  13. Calling all young people : make your voice heard

    News -

    We want to hear what's good, or not so good, about children's and young people's services in Medway and Kent.

  14. Your opinion on Medway Integrated Community Equipment matters

    News -

    THIS SURVEY HAS NOW CLOSED

    Medway Council, in partnership with Medway Clinical Commissioning Group, will be putting the current contract out for tender and would like your opinion on what works and what requires improvement.

  15. Making your voice heard : Community mental health

    News -

    Between January and March this year, we spoke to 46 patients and 2 carers during our visit to Canada House in Gillingham.

  16. Giving you the chance to share your thoughts

    News -

    Your voice is important to make sure care in Medway is the best it can be. But, if you don't know where it is going or how it can make a difference it can put you off. So here is how we do it with Medway Maritime Hospital

  17. Where is the support?

    News -

    Getting for a diagnosis can be long so when you get it you want support soon. Hear Sandra's experience getting help with her son and what happened when she spoke to our helpline.

  18. Healthwatch Medway 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 Medway, has been rated as ‘Good’ and the Trust will now exit Special Measures.

  19. Help turn the national NHS plan into a Kent & Medway vision

    News -

    You’ve probably heard about the NHS Long Term Plan in the news. The Long Term Plan is a national vision for our health services over the next 10 years.

  20. Talking with PPG groups

    News -

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

  21. What are you doing on Social Prescribing Day?

    News -

    The RBLI are hosting a social prescribing event together with over 35 local service providers coming together to offer practical support for your heath and wellbeing.

  22. Hearing from people with Learning Difficulties

    News -

    Everyone's experience of local care should be heard, but that can be hard for people who don't always have the chance to talk up. That's why we joined other organisations at One Voice's event in Medway.

  23. What do you think of care homes in Medway?

    News -

    We want to hear your thoughts on Care Homes in Medway while we visit 24 care homes across Medway.

  24. Calling all Parkinson's patients

    News -

    Have you recently been in hospital? Did you receive your Parkinson's medication at the right time? We really want to hear your story.

  25. 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.

  26. Have you used Outpatients at Medway recently?

    News -

    Was it a good experience? Could it be improved? Your story could make the service better for you in the future.

  27. 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).

  28. Voice of stroke patients is heard loud and clear

    News -

    Together with the Stroke Association and Healthwatch Kent, we have set up the Stroke Co-Design Group to ensure the voice of patients and carers is clearly heard during the design of our new stroke services in Kent & Medway.

  29. Have you had your say on outpatient services? There is still time!

    News -

    If you, a close friend or a family member you care for has recently used outpatient services at Medway Hospital let them know your thoughts.

  30. Men, how are you out of 10?

    News -

    A club run by the Sunlight Development Trust is here for you to know you’re not alone. 

  31. Calling all gay men in Medway!

    News -

    Medway Public Health and the METRO Charity in Medway are working together to understand more about chemsex and the needs of people who take part.

    Do you have a story to share that could help others?

  32. All your dentist questions answered

    News -

    Lots of people contact us asking questions about dentists.

    We hear from people who are struggling to get an NHS dentist or who are confused about the charging system. We also hear from lots of people who need emergency dental care.

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

    News -

    Stroke patients and their families were invited to Maidstone Hospital this week to chat with hospital staff about what the new may look like in the future across Medway & Kent.

  34. 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 and Clinical Assessment Service commencing April 2020.

  35. Tell us what you think we shoud be focusing on

    News -

    Today we are in Rochester chatting to Medway residents about that they think we should be focusing our efforts on next year.

    Come and see us and tell us your thoughts.

  36. 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

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

    News -

    Your community needs you – NHS call for volunteer army

  38. What services are still available during the pandemic?

    News -

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

  39. New mental health crisis support Helpline launched in Medway

    News -

    A new 24 hour Helpline has been launched to support people who need urgent help with their mental health in Medway

  40. 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 Medway team has been doing.

  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. Great to see support for Medway Care Homes

    News -

    We recently visited 24 Care Homes across Medway talking to residents and families about their experience.

  43. 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.

  44. We want to hear from more people about how they are coping during 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. Your experience of adult autism could help in Medway

    News -

    If you, or someone you know, has autism and lives in Medway; your thoughts and feedback could help develop a better service for adults who are living with Autism in Medway.

  46. Read how people coped during lockdown in April

    News -

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

  47. 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.

  48. Caring during a pandemic

    News -

    This week is Carers Week. We know that hundreds of people in Medway 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?

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

    News -

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

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

    News -

    Since the start of the Covid pandemic, we have been keeping in contact with a number of Medway Care Homes to understand how they are coping during the pandemic. Now we want to hear from people who have a family member in a Care Home right now.