1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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

  9. 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.

  10. Children and young people give her their feedback

    Report -


    Children and young people from across Medway have been sharing their stories with us about their experiences of health and social care services.

  11. 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.

  12. 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).

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. Healthwatch Medway comments on the temporary changes to stroke services

    News -

    Last night we were part of the Health Overview Scrutiny Committee which discussed plans to temporarily move stroke services from Medway Maritime Hospital to Kent.

  17. Healthwatch Medway comments on the suspension of GP surgeries and the Dermatology service run by DMC Healthcare

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission has announced today that three GP surgeries in Medway, which were run by DMC Healthwatch, are suspended following an inspection last week.

  18. A final decision for stroke services

    News -

    A decision has finally been made in the long running review of stroke services across Kent & Medway.

  19. Did you know that we now have an enhanced NHS 111 service in Medway??

    News -

    When people in Medway, Kent & Sussex call NHS 111 they will now find more experienced clinicians on hand to answer their queries than ever before.

  20. The Healthwatch Guide to Public Consultations

    Report -

    This guide is intended to support commissioners and service providers to deliver genuine, meaningful public consultations.

  21. The Healthwatch Medway Guide to Pre-consultation & Engagement

    Report -

    During our work to scrutinise consultations; poor pre-consultation engagement was the main area vulnerable to legal challenge via judicial review.

  22. 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?

  23. Have you used the wheelchair service?

    News -

    We always want to help improve wheelchair services and make sure they work well for everyone who uses them.

  24. 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.

  25. 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.

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

    News -

    Maybe you could help us make it happen?

  27. Help the Non Emergency Patient Transport Service to be better

    News -

    If you need help to attend an NHS appointment, you may have used the Non Emergency Patient Transport Service to help you get there. This is a free transport service that is available to some, but not all, patients based on their eligibility.

  28. Changes to vascular services

    News -

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

  29. 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.

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

    News -

    Your experience could help improve early detection of lung cancer.

  31. Help improve services for Medway residents

    News -

    The Public Health team at Medway Council are asking people who live in Medway about their wellbeing in order to help them to improve local services.

  32. 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

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

    News -

    Your community needs you – NHS call for volunteer army

  34. 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.

  35. 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.

  36. 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.

  37. 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

  38. 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.

  39. 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.

  40. New Emergency Dental Care now available

    News -

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

  41. 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.

  42. 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'.

  43. 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.

  44. 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.

  45. 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.

  46. 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. But what do they really mean and what applies to you?

  47. How do I make a complaint about the NHS?

    Advice and Information -

    The NHS complaints process was paused during the Coronavirus pandemic, but from today NHS England has advised NHS hospitals and services that unless there are exceptional circumstances, their complaints processes must restart.

  48. How did people cope during lockdown in May?

    News -

    Since the beginning of lockdown, we have been collating feedback from people about how they are coping. Read our report which summarises what everyone told us in May,

  49. Covid-19 vaccine – where are we?

    Advice and Information -

    Scientists all over the world are racing to develop a vaccine for the coronavirus pandemic. The virus causing this disease is called SARS Cov2. A total of 26 candidates are currently in the clinical evaluation stage of development, according to WHO.

  50. According to Department of Health and Social Care there are some exemptions to when you do not need to wear a face covering

    Advice and Information -

    In settings where face coverings are required in England, there are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear a face covering.