1. Are you under 18 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. 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.

  3. Helping people to get the treatment that they need

    News -

    Every day people contact us seeking information and help to know what to do next. This month we helped people to get the eye injections that they needed.

  4. 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).

  5. 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.

  6. Plans to tackle NHS backlog : our response

    News -

    In a new report, MPs have today warned that tackling the backlog caused by the pandemic is an "unquantifiable" challenge and have called for a broad national health and care recovery plan to be introduced.

  7. £6.8million to help tackle the lack of dentist appointments

    News -

    The NHS has today announced emergency funding to help create hundreds of new dentist appointments.

  8. Taking the opportunity to learn more about AIDS on World Aids Awareness Day

    Advice and Information -

    AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the name used to describe a number of potentially life threatening infections and illnesses that happen when our immune system has been severely damaged by the HIV virus.

  9. 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.

  10. Changes to vascular services

    News -

    The NHS is asking for your thoughts about the future of vascular services in Kent & Medway.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. Epilepsy is more than seizures

    Advice and Information -

    Epilepsy is one of the world’s oldest known medical conditions which affects around 600,000 people in the UK. 87 people are diagnosed with epilepsy every day, but many people still don’t understand it or talk about it.

  15. Medway 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 FOI findings show.

  16. Don’t miss out on your Covid Booster this Autumn

    News -

    The booster programme for Covid is now underway. Have you had yours?

  17. Did you know that 300 million people in the world live with a rare disease?

    News -

    A disease is rare when it affects fewer than 1 in 2,000 people. Examples of rare diseases include cystic fibrosis, Chron’s disease and sickle cell anaemia. 72% of rare diseases are genetics which means they can be hereditary.

  18. 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.

  19. What are the rules about Covid testing now?

    Advice and Information -

    COVID-19 testing rules have now changed across England. Find out the latest information on where to go to get tested, which test is most suitable for you, and what to do if you get a positive COVID-19 test result.

  20. Raising awareness about self injury

    Advice and Information -

    We’re working to raise awareness about self injury.

  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. This March, ovarian cancer is being put in the spotlight.

    Advice and Information -

    Two thirds of those with ovarian cancer are diagnosed too late when the cancer has already spread.

  25. Brain size does not determine how clever you are

    Advice and Information -

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

  26. Do you know someone who could be a young carer?

    Advice and Information -

    Right now, hundreds of young people in Medway are believed to be looking after someone, but not getting any help.

  27. Take care of your teeth. Don’t forget your gums!

    Advice and Information -

    More of you call us about getting a dentist appointment than anything else. Every day we hear from people who are struggling to get to see an NHS dentist. That means than looking after our own teeth is more important than ever!

  28. 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.

  29. 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.

  30. 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.

  31. 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!

  32. 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.

  33. 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.

  34. What do you really know about Autism?

    Advice and Information -

    Today (April 2nd) is World Autism Day.

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

    News -

    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.

  36. Covid has exacerbated the health inequalities that already existed for people trying to access a dentist in Medway

    Report -

    Nearly 100 people from Medway have talked to us about how easy (or not) it has been to get an appointment with an NHS dentist.

  37. How does the NHS dental system really work?

    Advice and Information -

    We get more calls about dentistry than anything else. The dental system is complicated so we've chatted to Tim Hogan, a dentist himself and Chair of the Kent & Medway Local Dental Committee to understand more.

  38. How does the environment affect our health?

    Advice and Information -

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

  39. 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?

  40. Covid-19 patient from Walderslade given ground-breaking antiviral treatment Paxlovid

    News -

    A Chatham woman suffering from coronavirus is one of a number of patients who have been given a ground-breaking anti-Covid drug at home that lessens symptoms “within hours”.

  41. 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?

  42. 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?

  43. 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.

  44. What medical support are you entitled to if you’re new to the UK?

    Advice and Information -

    When people arrive in the UK for the first time, it can be confusing to know where to go if you need medical help. Here we outline your rights as a refugee, where you can access emergency help and how to register for a GP.

  45. What did you tell us in January?

    Report -

    Over 2,500 of you came to us in January to share your experience of using health and social care services or to seek information.

  46. COVID-19 UPDATES

    Advice and Information -

    Vaccines: Spring boosters are now being offered to elderly people, care home residents and the most vulnerable.

  47. 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.

  48. 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.

  49. 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.