1. Our impact in dentistry

    News -

    In June we released out Annual report, which you can download at the bottom of this page. It shows the various ways Healthwatch continues its efforts to ensure the public experience is heard.

  2. What to watch for in your health and community this month

    Advice and Information -

    Each October multiple awareness raising campaigns are running, some focused on specific weeks or days.

  3. Helping you understand and shape your experience of Integrated Care

    Advice and Information -

    The ICB have published various priorities within their interim strategy.

  4. Addressing wider determinants of health

    Advice and Information -

    The wider determinants of health are a diverse range of social, economic and environmental factors which influence people’s mental and physical health.

  5. How Healthwatch addresses Health inequalities

    News -

    Healthwatch has adopted a more structured approach to help those most affected by differences in the provision of and access to health and social care.

  6. A wedge approach to tackling health inequalities: Women’s Health

    Advice and Information -

    Earlier this year Healthwatch England published it’s position on Women’s Health. They outlined what they were calling for to improve and tackle health inequalities for women.

  7. What people have told us about community pharmacies in Medway

    Report -

    On the last Friday of July 2023, we hit the streets of Chatham and chatted with 81 of our residents who shared their thoughts with us, in the high street and right outside the local pharmacies.

  8. How to stay well this winter

    Advice and Information -

    Tips to help you stay well this winter and get the care you need.

  9. What is menopause and what are the signs?

    Advice and Information -

    With more than thirty recognised symptoms of menopause and growing
    awareness of the impact on day-to-day life, knowing what to look out
    for and what support is available can help you.

  10. What is SAD, and how can you manage it?

    Advice and Information -

    Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression triggered by seasonal changes. One in twenty people in the UK are diagnosed with the condition, with men more likely to be diagnosed with SAD than women.

  11. What to watch for in your health and community this month- November

    Advice and Information -

    Each November multiple awareness raising campaigns are running, some focused on specific weeks or days.

  12. Accessibility to healthcare can vary significantly based on the needs of the individual.

    News -

    Stammer is one of the biggest challenges in accessing healthcare services. 

  13. Stammer is one of the biggest challenges in accessing healthcare services. 

    Advice and Information -

    People with stammers face a variety of challenges in accessing healthcare services. In the UK a survey showed 1.8% of people have stammer.

  14. What barriers women report to experience when accessing healthcare?

    News -

    Women have a wide variety of experiences when accessing healthcare. However, a majority of women found that healthcare professionals were not listening or respecting them. There are several reasons that have been reported for these issues.

  15. 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.

  16. Are you struggling to feel positive about Christmas? Are you going to be alone for Christmas? 

    Advice and Information -

    While for many of us Christmas is a time for celebration and spending time with our loved ones, sadly that is not the case for all of us.

  17. What to watch for in your health and community this month - January

    Advice and Information -

    Each January multiple awareness raising campaigns are running, some focused on specific weeks or days.

  18. Cervical Cancer prevention week is held between the 22nd and 28th January 2024

    Advice and Information -

    This is a week to raise awareness of Cervical cancer, the screening programmes that currently take place and the vaccination programme designed to greatly reduce cases in the future.

  19. What to watch for in your health and community this month - February

    Advice and Information -

    Each February multiple awareness raising campaigns are running, some focused on specific weeks or days.

  20. How people feel about living in Medway - Allhallows, Cliffe, Cliffe Woods, High Halstow and Isle of Grain report

    Report -

    This year Healthwatch Medway is looking at heath inequalities in Medway.

  21. Annual Recognition Awards evening is back this year

    News -

    Healthwatch Kent and Healthwatch Medway are pleased to announce the return of its annual Recognition Awards evening, now in its third year.

  22. How people feel about living in Medway - Chattenden, Hoo, Wainscott and Upnor report

    Report -

    This year Healthwatch Medway is looking at heath inequalities in Medway.

  23. Healthwatch Kent and Healthwatch Medway annual Recognition Awards evening return for the third year.

    News -

    This annual awards evening aims to recognise and celebrate the people, innovations and collaborations that listen to the public and deliver successful projects and programmes across Kent and Medway.

  24. Medway and Swale Health and Care Partnership Insight Gathering Network

    Report -

    21 Medway and Swale community organisations and 9 Medway and Swale PPGs were invited to take part in the first Medway and Swale Health and Care Partnership Insight Gathering Network survey.

  25. What have we heard about how people are being supported with their mental health?

    Report -

    As many of you are aware we work closely with Mental Health Voice (MHV) and the 4 Local Mental Health Networks (LMHNs) based around each Health and Care Partnership area.

  26. Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report

    Report -

    Read Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board's 2022/23 annual report, acknowledging the large range of work done to safeguard vulnerable people who may be at risk across Kent and Medway.

  27. A Spotlight Report on the Deaf Community in Medway

    Report -

    In 2020, Healthwatch Medway reported on difficulties in accessing healthcare experienced by the D/deaf community. In 2022 Healthwatch Medway shared a report prepared by Healthwatch England that showed that the Accessible Information Standard, a legal requirement created by NHS England in 2016, was still being compromised in Medway for the d/Deaf community.

  28. How people feel about living in Medway - Gillingham report

    Report -

    In March, Healthwatch Medway has been in Gillingham and have been speaking to locals to find out what the major issues are in their communities.

  29. How people feel about living in Medway - Halling and Cuxton report

    Report -

    This year Healthwatch Medway is looking at heath inequalities in Medway.

  30. How to keep active in Medway

    Advice and Information -

    Looking for ways to keep fit and stay active? Not sure what is available in your area?
    This is a resource pack for Medway residents, including information about local groups and advice on how to stay healthy.

  31. How people feel about living in Medway - Rochester report

    Report -

    This year Healthwatch Medway is making their way around all areas of Medway speaking to residents about what they like and dislike about their area.
    In May we have been in Rochester.

  32. Healthwatch Medway Annual Report 2023-2024

    Report -

    Welcome to our 2023-2024 annual report

  33. Mental Health Support for Children and Young People

    Advice and Information -

    In this helpful article we have compiled a list of wellbeing and mental health support services for children and young people. If you are struggling, looking for support or just wanting to find what is available in your local area for health and wellbeing support, you're in the right place!

  34. The Healthwatch Recognition Awards Podcast

    News -

    Healthwatch Kent and Medway are proud to present our new joint podcast!

    Have a listen and we hope it inspires you to start thinking about which impactful projects and inspiring individuals you would like to nominate for the Kent & Medway Healthwatch Recognition Awards 2025.

  35. The Accessible Information Standard - What you can expect from services

    Advice and Information -

    A year ago the Accessible Information Standard came into force. It requires any organisation providing NHS or social care to communicate in a way that everybody can understand. Here's a reminder of what you should expect.

  36. 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.

  37. 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.

  38. A new support group for younger stroke survivors

    Advice and Information -

    The UK Charity, Different Strokes have started a new group in Chatham for stroke survivors under 65. Are you interested?

  39. What are AHPs and what do they do?

    Advice and Information -

    Allied health professionals (AHPs) are one of the largest workforces in the NHS, but do you know who they are?

  40. Spotlight on the Deaf Community

    Report -


    This week is Deaf Awareness Week. To celebrate we are publishing the feedback we heard from the Deaf community in Medway.

  41. Talking to Medway's Vascular Surgeon

    News -

    Today is International Women's Day. To celebrate we're talking to the inspirational Ginny Bowbrick. Ginny is a Mum of four and has worked in the NHS for 32 years, working at Medway hospital for 16 of those.

  42. Celebrating International Women's Day

    News -

    In the second of our interviews to mark International Women's Day, we chat to Jackie Brown who is Assistant Director of Adult Social Care in Medway.

  43. What's it like to be homeless in Medway?

    Report -

    We chatted to five women, and three men, about their experience of being homeless in Medway. They want you to hear their story.

  44. What's happened since we published our report on homelessness in Medway

    Report -

    In April we published a report detailing the feedback we heard from five women and two men who had experience of living on the streets of Medway. They told us about the challenges they faced to get access to healthcare.

  45. 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.

  46. 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.

  47. Helping Bill to get registered with a GP

    News -

    Every day people contact us because they can't register with a GP surgery. This month we helped Bill to get registered.