1. 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.

  2. How does the environment affect our health?

    Advice and Information -

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

  3. 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?

  4. 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?

  5. 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?

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. Make May Purple for Stroke Awareness

    Advice and Information -

    Over 1 million people in England have had a stroke. For many people having a stroke is a life changing experience. May is Stroke Awareness Month so we are sharing everything you need to know.

  12. We all know someone with hearing loss, but do you know how to help them?

    Advice and Information -

    Hearing loss is really common. But many people struggle when it could be treated.

  13. How much do you know about Ovarian Cancer?

    Advice and Information -

    Here are some facts about ovarian cancer:

  14. Have you heard of Fibromyalgia?

    Advice and Information -

    Fibromyalgia is a long term condition that causes pain all over the body. It’s also known as fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). It can be quite common – Lady Gaga has it!

  15. 9 million people in the UK are lonely right now. Are you one of them?

    Advice and Information -

    Everyone can feel lonely at some point in their life. Loneliness affects people of all ages and backgrounds. It can cause us real emotional pain and can impact on our physical and mental health.

  16. You probably don’t know if you have high blood pressure

    Advice and Information -

    High blood pressure (which is also known as hypertension) rarely has noticeable symptoms; so if you have it, you’re unlikely to realise it.
    But if untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.

  17. Are you an adult who receives care?

    News -

    Are you the relative, or friend, of someone who does? Do you consider yourself vulnerable? Do you know someone that could be vulnerable? Then this announcement is for you.

  18. Does the NHS have to provide an interpreter?

    Advice and Information -

    Do you know about your rights to language support in NHS settings?

  19. Epilepsy is one of the oldest known medical conditions

    Advice and Information -

    It’s quite common and affects the brain causing frequent seizures.

  20. Do you need financial help? Do you live in Medway? Then this announcement is for you.

    Advice and Information -

    Medway Council have announced that they have been awarded over £2 million to assist the many people in Medway who are struggling with the cost of living.

  21. We’ve been celebrating our brilliant volunteers all week for Volunteers Week.

    News -

    Here we chat to Harrison who volunteered for Healthwatch Medway.

  22. What do you actually know about Learning Disabilities?

    Advice and Information -

    There are around 350,000 children in the UK who have a learning disability, but do you actually know what it means and what it’s like to live with?

  23. Time for your Man MOT!

    Advice and Information -

    We’ve been through a lot these past couple of years. Covid has not gone away, but we are beginning to live with it. To do this, we need to be at the top of our game both physically and mentally.

  24. Become a real life hero by giving blood today!

    Advice and Information -

    Giving blood is one of the most simple yet heroic things you can do. Giving blood saves lives. The blood you give is a lifeline in an emergency, and for people who need long term treatments.

  25. Diabetes Awareness Week – 14th – 19th June 2022

    Advice and Information -

    Diabetes is a complicated condition and there are many different types of diabetes.

  26. Sittingbourne vaccine centre still open for business

    News -

    The vaccination centre in Sittingbourne which opened in April at the Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital is still open for appointments. Both adults and children can be vaccinated there and all stages of the Covid vaccination programme are offered.

  27. Have you, or your family, been in the Armed Forces?

    Advice and Information -

    If the answer is yes, then there is a new service for you.

    The Armed Forces Network for Sussex, Kent & Medway have created a new single place for you to contact if you, or your family, need advice, guidance or support.

  28. What do inspectors say about emergency & urgent care at Medway Hospital?

    News -

    This week the Care Quality Commission has published its report on the emergency and urgent care services provided at Medway Maritime Hospital.

  29. Are you 'in the know' about deafblindess?

    Advice and Information -

    Deafblindness is far more common than many people realise. Around 400,000 people are affected by sight and hearing loss in the UK. That's enough to fill Wembley Stadium nearly five times!

  30. 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.

  31. Are you 'in the know' about deafblindess?

    Advice and Information -

    Deafblindness is far more common than many people realise. Around 400,000 people are affected by sight and hearing loss in the UK. That's enough to fill Wembley Stadium nearly five times!

  32. Introducing the new NHS Kent & Medway

    News -

    Today marks a significant change in the way our NHS is organised. From today all Clinical Commissioning Groups are legally dissolved, with Integrated Care Systems created in their place.

  33. How to access mental health support if you're lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender

    Advice and Information -

    Mental health problems are more common among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) people. If you are struggling, feel alone or need a little help, then check out our guide on how you can get the support you need.

  34. Did you know 15% of us have a disability?

    Advice and Information -

    This month is Disability Pride Month. Every day we hear from people who are disabled, and we wanted to help raise awareness of some of the different types of disability.

  35. 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.

  36. Schizophrenia is not as uncommon as you think

    Advice and Information -

    One in 100 people will experience it.

  37. What do you know about Hepatitis?

    Advice and Information -

    Did you realise Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, most commonly caused by a viral infection?

  38. How to use 999 if you need British Sign Language

    Advice and Information -

    There’s a new service called 999 BSL. We’ve got all the details about how it works.

  39. What do you know about vaccines?

    Advice and Information -

    Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases.

  40. Psoriasis Awareness Month

    Advice and Information -

    This month is Psoriasis Month, but what do you actually know about the condition?

  41. What is monkeypox and who can get a vaccine?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out the signs and symptoms of monkeypox, what to do if you think you have it and who is eligible for a vaccine.

  42. Your thoughts will help train health professionals in Medway

    News -

    We all want the people working in the NHS to be the best they can possibly be. Share your experiences and you will be helping them to learn what matters to you.

  43. Milestone in tackling NHS longest waits - our response

    News -

    NHS England has achieved the first milestone in its plan to eliminate backlogs caused by Covid. Read our response.

  44. What is a GP referral and how can you get one?

    News -

    When you need specialist NHS support, like hospital tests or treatment, you often need a referral from your GP first. Find out what this includes and what to expect.

  45. Half of us will have a urology condition during our lifetime

    Advice and Information -

    What is Urology?

    Urology is the study of the female urinary system and male genitourinary tract. Put simply, these are parts of the body that produce, store and get rid of urine, as well as the parts involved in sexual function for men.

  46. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia in the UK

    Advice and Information -

    Alzheimer’s is one of several types of dementia. It’s also the most common.

  47. Blood Cancer Awareness Month

    Advice and Information -

    Blood cancer is a term that's used to describe many types of cancer that affect your blood, bone marrow or lymphatic system. It happens when something goes wrong with the development of your blood cells.

  48. Did you know that your blood vessels could circle the earth?

    Advice and Information -

    Vascular disease affects many of us, but do you really know what it is?

  49. Vision really matters

    Advice and Information -

    Did you know?

  50. You could save someone’s life

    Advice and Information -

    Organ donation is when you decide to give an organ to save or transform the life of someone else.
    You can donate some organs while you are alive, and this is called living organ donation.